Myles Lewis-Skelly decision made as £32m man drops out: Arsenal predicted starting XI v Newcastle
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Arsenal host Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.
The Gunners will hope to gain a sizeable advantage against the Magpies at the Emirates Stadium ahead of the second leg at St James’ Park in a month’s time.
Arsenal have been doing well in the Premier League and the Champions League, and the next few days will see them try to make progress in the domestic cups.
Mikel Arteta's side are in the hunt a first major trophy since 2020, while Newcastle will look to take a step closer to a first major trophy since the 1950s.
TBR Football looks at who Arteta could name in the Arsenal starting XI for Tuesday’s 8pm kick-off in North London.
Arsenal v Newcastle team news
Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri is expected to miss out on the Newcastle game after being forced off at half-time against Brighton on Saturday with a muscular problem.
Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard have been ill and will be assessed ahead of the match, while Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are injured and will miss out.
As for Newcastle, they will definitely be without the services of Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar, who are suspended for the trip to N5.
Nick Pope has recently returned to training but isn't expected to return from a knee issue just yet, while Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles are all out injured..
Anthony Gordon had to be replaced against Tottenham with a facial injury but he seems likely to feature against Arsenal.
- League Cup
Riccardo Calafiori backed to start ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly
Arteta is likely to go with a strong starting line-up for such an important game.
David Raya is expected to start in goal, and the same back four that lined up against Brighton is likely to feature against Newcastle.
Riccardo Calafiori looked sharp at the weekend and could start once again alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is also a contender to feature at left-back, but Arteta could perhaps save him for this weekend’s FA Cup game against Manchester United.
Arsenal have a great chance to dominate the midfield battle against a Newcastle outfit without Bruno, so Thomas Partey, Declan Rice are likely to start.
We predict Odegaard will be fit for the game, meaning he’d take the place of £32million Mikel Merino.
With Nwaneri set to be unavailable, Gabriel Martinelli is likely to take his place on the right, while Gabriel Jesus should continue to lead the line with Leandro Trossard on the left.
Arsenal predicted starting XI v Newcastle: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard
