Kai Havertz has had 21 shots on target across his 21 Premier League appearances this season (1.03 per 90). Of Arsenal’s fit and available players for this cup tie, only Ethan Nwanieri is averaging more attempts on goal per 90 and his averages are slightly skewed by low minutes in the Premier League this season (282). Havertz has had at least 1 shot on target in each of his last 5 Premier League appearances, further emphasising how important he is to Mikel Arteta’s side in the final third in the absence of talisman Bukayo Saka. Havertz isn’t the most clinical of strikers but is offered plenty of service by a creative Arsenal side that can see him find the target at least once here. Havertz also had 1 shot on target in the first leg from 4 shots in total, he’ll be key if Arsenal are to fight their way back into this tie. Havertz is averaging 1.66 shots on target per 90 across his 3 appearances in the EFL Cup this campaign.

Isak has already dealt damage to Arsenal this season, the 25 year old has scored in both of his appearances against the Gunners this campaign which included the only goal in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Arsenal in the league and the opener in Eddie Howe’s sides’ 2-0 win over Arsenal in the first leg. Isak is averaging 1.60 shots on target per 90 across his 22 Premier League appearances this season and has had at least 1 shot on target in 3 of his last 5 Premier League appearances. Isak should get opportunities here, not only is his record against Arsenal stellar but Mikel Arteta’s side might end up chasing the game here with Arsenal needing at least 2 goals without reply to have a chance of progressing to the final which should offer space for Newcastle on the transition.

Tonali has committed 25 fouls across his 15 Premier League appearances this season (1.54 per 90). The midfielder has been trusted in a holding role alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton with Tonali often tasked with the more defensive roles in the Newcastle midfield. This role is slightly different from the one he was playing last season and has seen his foul numbers increase as a result. He’ll be up against Martin Odegaard who is averaging 0.98 fouls won per 90 across his 16 Premier League appearances this season. Tonali has also committed 3 fouls across his 4 appearances in the EFL Cup this season (0.82 per 90).

Hall has been impressive from left back for Newcastle this season, he’s won 18 fouls across his 24 Premier League appearances this campaign (0.84 per 90, as a result of his forward thinking role which often sees him and Livramento push on down both wings to support Gordon and Murphy in the final third. Hall was fouled once in the first leg at the Emirates and was also fouled twice in the league meeting between these sides showing that he can win fouls with consistency in this role which sees him advance into areas that a winger would at times. Hall will be up against Ethan Nwanieri who has broken through into the Arsenal first team on a consistent basis this campaign, he’s averaging 0.96 fouls committed per 90 across his 14 Premier League appearances this campaign. He’ll also be faced up by Jurrien Timber in advanced positions who is averaging 1.23 fouls committed per 90 across his 21 Premier League appearances this campaign.

Gordon has a track record of providing against the bigger teams in the Premier League, he’s recorded goal contributions against Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City already this campaign. He’s registered 11 goal contributions across his 23 Premier League appearances on the whole with 10 across his last 12 games in all competitions. He should get space on the transition here, Arsenal will have to abandon their usual cautious approach to get back into the tie with the Gunners 2-0 down from the first leg. Gordon was a constant threat in the first leg, he scored and had 2 shots on target as Arsenal struggled to contain the winger and Alexander Isak who got the opener at the Emirates. Newcastle can really hurt Arsenal on the counter attack, expect more gaps than usual in the Arsenal side as they look to find a way back into the tie. These gaps can be exploited by Gordon and Isak in particular as they were in the first leg, Newcastle will be confident but a 2 goal lead can quickly evaporate - especially if Arsenal get an early goal so it’s unlikely Eddie Howe instructs his side to be purely defensively focused in this game, offering an opportunity for Gordon to provide another goal contribution against Arsenal this season.

Joelinton is essentially a wrecking ball, but he’s really effective in what looks to be clumsy and rash challenges. His physicality is a real strength and he is often the Newcastle midfielder to engage with the opposition midfield, knowing his strength will aid him in winning duels and getting Newcastle up the pitch. This can occasionally spill over into silly challenges or an accumulation of fouls that end up with Joelinton in the referees notebook. He’s collected 9 yellow cards across his 23 Premier League appearances this campaign - more than any other player in the Newcastle squad. He’s also collected 1 yellow card across his 5 EFL Cup appearances this campaign which came in the first leg of this tie at the Emirates in a contest in which he committed 3 fouls and contested 12 duels. Joelinton was shown a yellow card in Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham last time out making it 2 yellow cards across his last 3 games in all competitions with the Brazilian also picking up a caution in Newcastle’s 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth at St James’ Park a few weeks ago.

Bruno Guimaraes is more prolific in this department than anyone else in the Premier League, the Brazilian midfielder has won a staggering 82 fouls across his 24 Premier League appearances (3.53 per 90). He was fouled 7 times in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Arsenal in the league earlier in the campaign. He didn’t feature in the first leg making Newcastle’s 2-0 victory over the Gunners all the more impressive. Guimaraes has been playing in a more advanced role of late with Tonali being moved to his usual defensive midfield role but this hasn’t affected Guimaraes’ quality with the Brazilian still being a crucial component in Newcastle’s setup. He’ll be up against Thomas Partey who is averaging 1.41 fouls committed per 90 across his 23 Premier League appearances this campaign.

Despite having 23 shots in the first leg and generating an xG of 3.22 in the first leg, Arsenal only managed to test Dubravka in the Newcastle net on 2 occasions. This is something that Arsenal have struggled with for a while under Mikel Arteta, they are excellent at creating chances but not so elite at taking them. Dubravka is having to make 2.89 saves per 90 across his 9 Premier League appearances this season, this is a total we can expect to rise when considering the context of the game. Arsenal need to get back into the tie which should result in a slightly more expansive gameplan from Mikel Arteta who usually prioritises control and a considered build up but doesn’t have that luxury here. Arsenal have drawn 3+ saves from the opposition goalkeeper in 12 of their 24 Premier League matches this season (50%). Again, when considering the context of the game it would be a surprise to see Arsenal not to cross this line with what is at stake for the Gunners.