Newcastle v Arsenal

Newcastle are in pole position to reach the final of this year's EFL Cup having taken a 2-0 lead over Arsenal in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium. They’ve only lost 2 of their last 12 games in all competitions but these losses have come of late, both in home games against Fulham and Bournemouth meaning Eddie Howe will be slightly anxious about the North London sides’ visit to St James’ Park.

Arsenal’s loss to Newcastle came during a series of poor results for Mikel Arteta’s side, they’ve recovered from that slight hiccup to remain unbeaten across their last 6 games in all competitions which has included victories against bitter rivals Spurs and a convincing win over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side.

⭐ Newcastle v Arsenal Best Bet

Gordon scored Newcastle’s second goal in their 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg, the winger was a threat throughout the game and managed 2 shots in that encounter with both of these efforts finding the target. Gordon didn’t manage a shot in the initial Premier League meeting between these sides. Still, he crucially was playing on the right wing, a role that utilises his crossing ability and negatively impacts his shooting numbers as he’s right-footed. Eddie Howe has moved him back to his more effective role on the left in recent weeks which has seen his shot output rise. 

Gordon is averaging 2.46 shots per 90 across his 23 Premier League appearances this season and has had 2+ shots in 4 of his last 5 appearances in the English top flight. His record is just as solid when looking at his numbers in the EFL Cup this season, he’s had 6 shots across his 5 appearances in the tournament with just 3 of these being starts taking his average to 1.91 per 90.

Arsenal will have to adapt their usual approach against the better sides here, Arteta likes to start with his side being compact and frustrate the opposition - especially in away games. He’ll have to allow his team to be slightly more on the front foot here which should benefit Newcastle in the transition. This game state which requires Arsenal to come out of the blocks quickly should offer an opportunity for Gordon to have a few sightings of goal when Arsenal have committed too many men forward.

👕 Newcastle v Arsenal Predicted XI

🔍 Newcastle v Arsenal Players to Watch

⚫ Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak has been a thorn in Arsenal’s side this season, the clinical Swedish frontman is a reminder of the lack of a lethal goalscorer that Arsenal are missing in their ranks. He scored the winner in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Arsenal in the league earlier in the campaign and also scored the opener in Eddie Howe’s side 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates in the first leg.

He’s scored 17 goals across his 22 Premier League appearances this campaign and can add to that impressive tally here in a game where he should get chances with Arsenal needing to commit bodies forward to find a way back into this tie. 

⚫ Sandro Tonali

Eddie Howe has tinkered with his midfield set up a few times this season but has now appeared to land on his preferred trio in Guimaraes, Tonali and Joelinton. This trio have the perfect traits to compete in English football with a blend of pace, strength and technical ability that make them a significant task for any Premier League side.

Tonali has been deployed as the holding midfielder in this setup, this is a role which is reflecting itself in his foul numbers - the Italian is averaging 1.54 fouls committed per 90 across his 22 Premier League appearances this campaign and has picked up 5 yellow cards as result.

He was cautioned in Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham last time out and will be up against Martin Odegaard who is averaging 0.98 fouls won per 90 across his 16 Premier League appearances this campaign. 

🔴 Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz scored and provided an assist in Arsenal’s statement 5-1 win over reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. Whilst Havertz isn’t the clinical frontman that many theorise can take them to the next level, he is a crucial part of the Arsenal attacking line at the present moment with Bukayo Saka still sidelined for the foreseeable future.

He’s averaging 1.03 shots on target per 90 across his 21 Premier League appearances this season suggesting that he still gets opportunities in games even if his finishing isn’t convincing. He’s also averaging 1.66 shots on target across his 3 EFL Cup appearances this campaign and had 1 shot on target in the first leg from 4 efforts in total. 

📂 Newcastle v Arsenal Cheat Sheet

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💻 Newcastle v Arsenal Form and Tactics

Newcastle have recovered from a really slow start to the season, Eddie Howe was experimenting with his side in the early stage of the campaign - particularly in attack in trying to accommodate both Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes but Newcastle found it hard to have them both in the team. The reintroduction of an in-form Jacob Murphy solved this conundrum with Gordon now operating on his favoured left-hand side.

Newcastle’s midfield is one of the strongest if not the strongest in the Premier League, Tonali operates as the deepest of the trio with Joelinton playing in a box-to-box role whilst Guimaraes is given licence to create from deep and join in the attack.

Newcastle’s fullbacks are a real strength, in moments where Newcastle get relief from an early Arsenal onslaught, don’t be surprised to see Livramento and Hall push right up the pitch and make overlapping runs in behind the opposition backline, giving Gordon and Murphy extra space in the wide areas. Newcastle should look to go with a similar approach that was so effective in keeping Arsenal out in the league meeting at St James’ Park between these sides.

Newcastle limited Arsenal to just 1 attempt on target, it’s likely that Arsenal will register more in this encounter but Newcastle have shown they can limit the opportunities in the final third for this Arsenal side having also kept a clean sheet in the first leg. 

Arsenal were superb in their 5-1 demolition of Manchester City last time out but will have to summon a similar sort of performance here if they are going to reach the final of the EFL Cup. Arsenal line up in a 4-3-3 shape with an emphasis on structure and control, Arteta may loosen his obsession with those traits slightly here but it will be surprising to see Arsenal go all guns blazing from the off here, 1 goal for the Gunners can completely turn this tie on its head so still expect a degree of consideration in Arsenal’s build-up and approach to this game. 

What is clear is that Arsenal will need to sustain more of an attacking threat in this game than they have done in the 2 previous encounters with Newcastle this campaign. Mikel Arteta’s side failed to score in either of their previous encounters with the North East side, managing just 4 shots on target across the 2 games.

In a game that will be tight, Arsenal will need a moment of magic to bring this tie to life. Look out for Ethan Nwanieri who has done more than enough to earn a start here despite only being 17 years old. He’s scored in each of his last 2 appearances (v Manchester City and Girona).

🏁 Newcastle v Arsenal Ref Watch

• Referee: Simon Hooper
• Newcastle were the side most involved with the referee in the first leg, Eddie Howe’s side picked up 3 yellow cards to Arsenal’s 1 and committed double the amount of fouls (12-6).

📺 How to Watch Newcastle v Arsenal in the EFL Cup

📅 When is Newcastle v Arsenal? / Wednesday, 5 February 2025, 20:00
🏟 Where is Newcastle v Arsenal? / St. James' Park (Newcastle)
📺 What TV Channel is Newcastle v Arsenal on? / Sky Sports Main Event
🟨 …And who is the referee for Newcastle v Arsenal / Simon Hooper 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

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* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.