Arsenal are still not out of the Premier League title race, but prioritizing cup competitions could see Mikel Arteta in a good position during the second half of 2024/25.
The Spaniard’s tunnel vision for the league has previously hampered the Gunners in cups, but Liverpool’s superiority at the summit means Arsenal will likely have to look elsewhere to claim silverware in the fifth year of the Arteta project.
They are one of four teams left in the Carabao Cup after Gabriel Jesus scored his first hat-trick for the club in the quarter-finals. That victory over Crystal Palace inspired a three-game winning streak, but Arsenal head into Tuesday’s first leg at Newcastle on the back of a 1-1 draw with Brighton.
The Gunners have been hit hard by illness and injury over the past month, with Arteta forced to constantly reshuffle his pack. Here’s how they could line up against the Magpies.
GK: David Raya – Raya made his first Carabao Cup appearance for the Gunners in the quarter-finals, conceding twice. With substitute Neto tied in the cup, the Spaniard is a safe bet to start again.
RB: Jurrien Timber – Timber was suspended for the draw a Brightonbut he can come back on tuesday. Considering his workload over the past month, this respite will surely do the Dutchman good.
CB: William Saliba – This is a great game for arsenal and there is no reason to rest Saliba. The Gunners struggled against Palace in the last 16 before the Frenchman entered the fray in the second half.
CB: Gabriel – Jakub Kiwior is waiting in the wings but Arteta could prioritize this game ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup tie with 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 XI. Given that the Italian played the full 90 on Saturday, Arteta could rotate him.
CM: Thomas Partey – Partey was excellent at the base of midfield on New Year’s Day against Brentford, but Timber’s suspension forced him into the backline at Brighton. With the Dutchman back, 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 along right now, with their rugged physicality capable of overwhelming most engine rooms they face. Rice will help Arsenal’s ability to fight fire with fire.
CM: Martin Odegaard – Physicality is required in the middle of the park against this Newcastle side, but Arsenal also require an artist to break down an improving Magpies backline. Odegaard was hampered by illness at the weekend.
RW: Gabriel Martinelli – Ethan Nwaneri joins Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling on the wing, so we should see Arteta move back to Martinelli on the right.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – Kai Havertz has missed Arsenal’s previous two games due to illness and while he could return on Tuesday, the German is likely to feature again. Jesus was the hero last time out in this competition and is ready to win another start.
LW: Leandro Trossard – Martinelli was unable to get a change out of Tino Livramento the last time these two teams met, and it looks like the experienced Trossard will get a chance to outdo the impressive young full-back in Tuesday’s first leg.
