Arsenal take on Newcastle in the EFL Cup semi-finals, with the two teams looking to book a place in the final and earn a first chance at silverware this season.
The Gunners managed to earn their place in the final four by overcoming Bolton, Preston and Crystal Palace, while the Magpies beat Nottingham Forest, Wimbledon, Chelsea and Brentford.
With Arsenal and Newcastle both desperate to lift the trophy, there will be some enthralling battles taking place at both the Emirates Stadium and St. James’ Park.
So with that said, here’s a look at all the rules Arsenal fans should know for the EFL Cup clash in the semi-finals.
How many legs are there in the EFL Cup semi-finals?
There are two legs played in the EFL Cup semi-final stage, with each team drawn home and away in the tie.
The winner is decided based on the aggregate score of those two matches, with a place in the final up for grabs.
When is the Arsenal vs Newcastle EFL Cup semi-final first leg?
The clash between Arsenal and Newcastle in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final will be played on January 7, 2025 at the Emirates Stadium.
When is the Arsenal vs Newcastle EFL Cup semi-final second leg?
The clash between Arsenal and Newcastle in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final will be played on February 5, 2025, at St. James’ Park.
Is there VAR in the EFL Cup semi-finals?
Yes, there will be VAR present in the EFL Cup semi-finals, as announced by the EFL themselves for this round.
Previous rounds of the EFL Cup haven’t featured the use of VAR technology this season, while last campaign saw it only introduced for the final itself.
VAR announcement rule change
There will be an introduction of a new rule for Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle in regards to the VAR itself.
Should a VAR decision occur in the EFL Cup semi-final, then the referee will be asked to announce to the stadium the reason for the overturn or decision itself.
It will be a first in English football, with fans inside the stadium being able to hear the thoughts of the officials as they happen.
EFL Cup yellow card suspension rules
Yellow card suspensions are wiped when reaching the semi-final stage of the EFL Cup, meaning that players can miss the first leg if they picked up two bookings in the quarter-final, but not after.
Do red cards result in an EFL Cup ban?
Red cards in the EFL Cup do not carry over into the next match in the same competition, but rather the next domestic game.
It means that if a red card is awarded, players will serve a ban in the Premier League or FA Cup match that follows.
It works both ways though, as players picking up a red card in the match before an EFL Cup semi-final or final will be missing out on that game.
When is the EFL Cup final?
The EFL Cup final will take place on March 16, 2025, with the final two teams looking to win silverware at Wembley Stadium.
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