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6 out, 1 doubt: Newcastle United team news for Arsenal semi-final

6 out, 1 doubt: Newcastle United team news for Arsenal semi-final
6 out, 1 doubt: Newcastle United team news for Arsenal semi-final

Newcastle United are set to be without a few players for Tuesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal, with Sven Botman the latest fitness doubt.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Sven Botman of Newcastle United looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St. James Park on March 02, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

Arsenal will play the first leg of their League Cup semi-final tie against Newcastle United on Tuesday, and they’ll be missing at least six first-team players for the match.

Callum Wilson, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, and Nick Pope all remain injured, and none of them are expected to return in time for the game.

On top of that, Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar will both be suspended. The two players picked up their second yellow cards of the tournament in the last round, earning them one-match bans that can only be served in the same competition.

That means they’ll miss the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, but they’ll both be available at St. James’ Park for the return fixture next month.

Newcastle United's English head coach Eddie Howe reacts on the final whistle in the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 24, 2024. Arsenal won the game 4-1. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

As well as those six, there are minor doubts about Sven Botman’s availability. The player was feeling fatigue at the end of Newcastle’s match against Spurs at the weekend, his first game back after his ACL injury, and Eddie Howe suggested he’ll face a late fitness test for Tuesday.

“We have to speak to the player, the medical team, the experts,” Howe said. “They’ll give me some of the answers to what we do with him next.”

As for Anthony Gordon, the player suffered a bad cut on his nose against Spurs, but the suggestion is that he’ll be available.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at St James' Park on October 19, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

The main player Arsenal will be worrying about is supposed Gunners target Alexander Isak. The striker has already scored against Mikel Arteta’s side this season, and he has nine goals in his eight games since the start of December.

The 25-year-old will be fully fit for the Arsenal game and certain to cause some problems.