Although Mikel Arteta may benefit from putting the cup competitions first in the second half of 2024–2025, Arsenal is still in the running for the Premier League title.
Although the Gunners have previously suffered in the cups due to the Spaniard's tunnel vision for the league, Liverpool's dominance at the top means Arsenal will probably have to look elsewhere to win a trophy in year five of Arteta's mission.
Gabriel Jesus scored the club's first hat-trick in the quarterfinals, leaving them as one of four clubs left in the Carabao Cup. Arsenal enters Tuesday's first leg against Newcastle fresh off a 1-1 tie with Brighton, but that triumph over Crystal Palace sparked a three-game winning streak.
Over the previous month, the Gunners have suffered greatly from injuries and illness, forcing Arteta to continuously rearrange his pack. They may line up against the Magpies like this.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Newcastle [4-3-3]
GK: David Raya – Raya made his first Carabao Cup appearance for the Gunners in the quarter-finals, conceding twice. With back-up Neto cup-tied, the Spaniard is a sure bet to start again.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly – Despite Riccardo Calafiori's impressive performance over the weekend, Lewis-Skelly deserves to be back in the starting lineup. Arteta may rotate the Italian out because he played the entire ninety on Saturday.
CB: Gabriel – Although Jakub Kiwior is in the wings, Arteta might give this match more importance than Sunday's FA Cup matchup with Manchester United. Saliba and Gabriel will continue in the middle of the week.
CB: William Saliba – Saliba shouldn't be rested for this crucial match for Arsenal. Prior to the Frenchman joining the battle in the second half, the Gunners had a difficult match against Palace in the round of eight.
RB: Jurrien Timber – Timber can play on Tuesday even though he was suspended for the draw at Brighton. The Dutchman will undoubtedly benefit from that respite given his workload over the past month.
CM: Martin Odegaard – Arsenal needs an artist to break down an improving Magpies defense, but they also need physicality in the middle of the park against this Newcastle outfit. Over the weekend, Odegaard was hampered by illness.
CM: Thomas Partey – Timber's suspension forced Partey into the backline at Brighton, despite his fine performance at the base of midfield against Brentford on New Year's Day. Partey is ready to go back to his natural environment now that the Dutchman is back.
CM: Declan Rice – Partey and Rice are playing this game. With a tough toughness that can overwhelm most engine rooms, Newcastle's midfield is performing admirably right now. Arsenal will be able to fight fire with fire thanks to Rice.
LW: Leandro Trossard – The last time these two teams played, Martinelli was unable to get any change out of Tino Livramento, and it appears that the seasoned Trossard will have the opportunity to outsmart the talented young full-back in Tuesday's first leg.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Due to illness, Kai Havertz has missed Arsenal's last two games. Although he might return on Tuesday, the German will probably be gradually reintroduced. Jesus is expected to get another start because he was the hero in this competition the last time out.
RW: Gabriel Martinelli – Arteta should return to Martinelli down the right as Ethan Nwaneri joins Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling on the sidelines.