Carabao Cup: Arteta doesn't have an excuse against Newcastle

Arsenal hosts Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semifinal first leg, facing injury woes. Can the Magpies capitalize, or will Arteta’s depleted squad fight?

The Carabao Cup portends a huge opportunity for the Gunners to win a silverware for the first time since 2020, will Newcastle stop them? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Arsenal will host Newcastle at the Emirates on Tuesday night in the first leg of the semifinal of the Carabao Cup, with the second fixture between Liverpool and Tottenham taking place on Wednesday.

It’s the third of Arsenal’s nine games in the month of January, but the Gunners only had twelve fit players in their Monday training with Ethan Nwaneri joining the growing list of injured players after the youngster was substituted at halftime against Brighton.

Newcastle is in a favourable place; they have won their last five games in all competitions, and Eddie Howe’s side doesn’t give much away in terms of goals conceded. Their last win over Tottenham could be a preview of the Carabao Cup final with both sides in separate semifinals.

For that to happen, Arsenal and Liverpool will have a say; however, the task before the Gunners is quite huge, with many first-team players out due to injury and illness. Kai Havertz continues to feel unwell, and several other players are experiencing intermittent issues.

Newcastle already got one over the Gunners this season at St. James’s Park with Alexander Isak heading home the only goal from a cross of outrageous quality from Anthony Gordon; can the Magpies do it again when they visit the Emirates on Tuesday?

Typically, Newcastle hardly finds joy at the Emirates, but with Arsenal missing key players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Martin Ødegaard struggling too, it might be a fantastic opportunity for Newcastle to win their first title in a long while.

To put it into context, Mikel Arteta himself knows he must win something at Arsenal this season. Nothing will suffice as a tenable excuse if he doesn’t deliver something at the end of May, and the Carabao Cup offers him a huge opportunity to achieve that; he can’t pass on it.

You may wonder about the level of spirit within Newcastle's camp. They have managed to keep the run going, and they might even be the favourites in this fixture, but they could also choose to rest a few players due to fatigue; if they have one realistic trophy hope, it’s in this tournament.

Arsenal can't treat this as just another game; Arteta must inspire his team to dig deep and go all out. Rotation is crucial, but what should be done when the squad is severely depleted?