Arsenal Vs Newcastle United Prediction: The Gunners Prepare Surprises For The Magpies
JAKARTA - Arsenal will host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night January 7 in the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinals. Both teams are in an impressive performance in various competitions, and this match is a big test for their ambition to win trophies this season.
Arsenal have just finished the Premier League match with a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. The opening goal was scored by Ethan Nwaneri, a 17-year-old young star, who listed his name in the club's history book. However, Joao Pedro's penalty cost Mikel Arteta's team two valuable points, a result that slowed their pursuit of Liverpool at the top of the table.
"We have to be more clinical in solving opportunities," said Arteta. However, I am proud of the spirit of the team that continued to struggle until the end.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United showed outstanding performance with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak ensured a sixth straight victory for Eddie Howe's men. These results also reinforce their position as one of the most consistent teams in the UK today.
Howe praised the mentality of his players after the victory. "We played with extraordinary discipline and energy. This is proof of the hard work of the whole team," he said.
Arsenal have recorded 13 matches without defeat in all competitions, including a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. They are also unbeaten at home this season, a statistic that provides additional confidence for Arteta's troops.
However, Newcastle also came with strong capital. They have scored at least two goals in the last eight games and are showing no signs of slowing down. In the EFL Cup this season, they managed to get rid of tough teams like Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Chelsea, and AFC Wimbledon.
The final meeting record shows that Newcastle beat Arsenal 1-0 in the Premier League opener at St James Park. However, the last time Newcastle won at the Emirates was in 2010.
Arsenal face major challenges with a number of key players who are absent. Ethan Nwaneri is doubtful due to the muscle injury he suffered against Brighton. In addition, Kai Havertz is still recovering from illness, while Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are ruled out. The good news is that Jurrien Timber is back on standby after being suspended.
On the part of Newcastle, Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes had to miss due to the accumulation of yellow cards in this competition. Injuries are also an obstacle for some of their important players, including Emil Krafth, Nick Pope, Callum Wilson, and Jamaal Lasceles. wakil Botman, who has just recovered from an ACL injury, is likely to be rested in order to maintain his fitness.
Mikel Arteta emphasized that his team's focus is on maintaining consistent performance in all competitions. We have a squad full of quality and depth. This is a great opportunity to step closer to the final, and we are ready to give our best in front of our supporters," said Arteta.
On the other hand, Eddie Howe stressed the importance of maintaining his team's positive momentum. "Playing against Arsenal at home is always a challenge, but we come with high confidence. We know what it takes to get a positive result in this match," Howe said.
This match is predicted to be tight. Arsenal have the advantage of playing at home, where they have always been dominant throughout the season. However, the absence of some key players could be an obstacle for them to show their best performance.
On the other hand, Newcastle brought extraordinary momentum with an impressive winning streak. Although having to play without some important players, their aggressive playing style and tactical discipline could pose a serious threat to Arsenal.
This semifinal first leg will be a big test for the ambitions of both teams to win trophies. Arsenal are seeded thanks to their home record, but Newcastle has the potential to create surprises like they did against Tottenham. A high-scoring draw may be the most realistic result, but if Arsenal are able to take advantage of their supporters' support, a narrow win is also very possible.
Forecast Of Lineup:
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard.
Newcastle United: Dubravka; Trippier, Kelly, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.