[4-3-3]: Two Academy star starts, Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly start but THREE big names are out- Arsenal’s predicted lineup against Newcastle United as Mikel Arteta reveals expected changes tonight
Arsenal have a 2-0 deficit to make up at Newcastle United on Wednesday night if they’re to progress into the Carabao Cup final.
The Gunners secured a statement 5-1 victory over Manchester City to keep pace with Liverpool in the Premier League title race at the weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side have won four games on the spin in all competitions and haven’t lost in 90 minutes since the first leg of their semi-final tie with the Magpies at the start of 2025.
Arsenal were awfully wasteful on home soil and were made to pay by an efficient Magpies outfit, with goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon helping Eddie Howe’s men into a healthy advantage.
Newcastle entered the first leg as one of the Premier League’s form teams, but they’ve stumbled since and have lost back-to-back games at St. James’ Park. Their buffer is significant ahead of Arsenal’s visit, but an early goal for the away side will shift the tie’s momentum drastically.
Newcastle team news
Goalkeeper Nick Pope is back in contention for the hosts, although Howe stuck with Martin Dubravka at the weekend as Fulham came from behind to win 2-1 on Tyneside. Pope could return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.
Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar were both suspended for Newcastle’s victory at the Emirates, but the pair are eligible to feature here.
Callum Wilson is a doubt with a hamstring injury, while Harvey Barnes misses out with a hamstring issue. Jamaal Lascelles is a long-term absentee.
Newcastle predicted lineup vs Arsenal
Newcastle predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
Arsenal team news
The Gunners have the weekend off following their FA Cup exit and are heading out to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp after Wednesday’s cup tie. Thus, Arteta is unlikely to rotate much on Tyneside.
Ethan Nwaneri polished off Arsenal’s mauling of the champions on Sunday with what’s becoming a trademark finish, and the teenager could return to the manager’s XI here. Gabriel Martinelli could make way.
Ben White is the closest of their injured stars to making a comeback, but he’ll miss out alongside the sidelined Takehiro Tomiyasu, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Newcastle
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Havertz, Trossard.
Newcastle vs Arsenal score prediction
This tie was regarded as dead and buried in the aftermath of the first leg, but Arsenal’s recent upsurge on the scoring front and the manner of Sunday’s triumph means we could be in for a night of drama on Tyneside.
Howe’s lack of rotation may well be hurting Newcastle, who have lost back-to-back games at home amid tired second half displays. However, they’ll be galvanised by the Toon Army under the lights here, there’s no doubt about that.
Given their two-goal advantage, Newcastle will be keen to turn this into a war of attrition. They’ll aim to keep their visitors at arm’s length and progress into the final by any means necessary. Howe’s Magpies are bound to make this an ugly second leg, and Arsenal’s pressure will be relentless.
