Arsenal are not yet out of the Premier League title race, but prioritizing cup competitions could benefit Mikel Arteta in the second half of the 2024/25 season.
The Spaniard’s tunnel vision for the league has previously hampered the Gunners in the cups, but Liverpool’s dominance at the top means Arsenal will likely have to look elsewhere to win silverware in the fifth year of Arteta’s project.
They are one of four teams remaining in the Carabao Cup after Gabriel Jesus scored his first hat-trick for the club in the quarter-finals. That win over Crystal Palace snapped a three-game winning streak, but Arsenal go into Tuesday’s first leg against Newcastle on the back of a 1-1 draw with Brighton.
The Gunners have been hit hard by illness and injuries over the past month, forcing Arteta to continually shuffle his team. So they could face the Magpies.
TW: David Raya – Raya made his first Carabao Cup appearance for the Gunners in the quarter-finals, conceding two goals. With substitute Neto tied in the cup, the Spaniard is a safe new start.
RB: Jurrien Timber – Timber has been suspended for the Brighton draw but is eligible to return on Tuesday. Given his workload over the past month, this breathing space will certainly be good for the Dutchman.
CB: William Saliba – This is a big game for Arsenal and there is no reason to give Saliba a break. The Gunners had struggled against Palace in the last eight before the Frenchman came into the game in the second half.
CB: Gabriel – Jakub Kiwior is waiting in the wings but Arteta could prioritize this game over Sunday’s FA Cup game against Manchester United. Gabriel will continue alongside Saliba in midweek.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly – Riccardo Calafiori impressed at the weekend but Lewis-Skelly deserves a return to the eleven. Given that the Italian played the entire 90 on Saturday, Arteta could substitute him.
CM: Thomas Partey – Partey was excellent in the base of midfield against Brentford on New Year’s Day, but Timber’s suspension forced him into defense at Brighton. With the Dutchman’s return, Partey is ready to return to his natural habitat.
CM: Declan Rice – This is a game for Rice and Partey. Newcastle’s midfield is humming at the moment, with its robust physicality capable of overpowering most engines they face. Rice will support Arsenal’s ability to fight fire with fire.
CM: Martin Odegaard – Physicality is needed in the middle of the park against this Newcastle team, but Arsenal also need an artist to break through an improving Magpies back line. Odegaard was disabled at the weekend due to illness.
RW: Gabriel Martinelli – Ethan Nwaneri joins Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling on the touchline, so we should see Arteta rejoin Martinelli on the right.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Kai Havertz has missed Arsenal’s last two games through illness and although he could be back on Tuesday, the German is likely to be back in action. Jesus was the hero last time out in this competition and he will secure another start.
LW: Leandro Trossard – The last time these two sides met, Martinelli was unable to get a change out of Tino Livramento and it looks like the experienced Trossard will have the chance to outwit the impressive young full-back in Tuesday’s first leg.