Arsenal suffer season-ending injury as Newcastle United lose £30m pair

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What has changed at Newcastle United and Arsenal since the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

Four weeks on from the first encounter, Newcastle United and Arsenal meet again for a place in the Carabao Cup final.

It’s advantage Newcastle, with Eddie Howe’s side leading 2-0 from the first-leg after goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. But since that tie at the Emirates on January 7, things have changed slightly.

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United recorded a seventh straight win when they beat the Gunners but their momentum has since slowed following back-to-back St James’ Park defeats against AFC Bournemouth and Fulham.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have won their last four matches and are full of confidence after thrashing Premier League champions Manchester City 5-1 on Sunday.

Arsenal team news

Personnel-wise, there have also been some changes.

Mikel Arteta’s side recently lost Gabriel Jesus to a knee injury, one that will keep him out for the rest of the campaign. They were already without another key forward in Bukayo Saka, who is unlikely to return until April.

Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu also remained sidelined, though Ethan Nwaneri has returned and scored in his last games against Girona and Man City.

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Newcastle United team news

Newcastle will welcome back Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar into the squad after they missed the first leg through suspension. The pair will replace Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly, both of whom came as substitutes at the Emirates but have since left the club for Atlanta United and Juventus, respectively.

Callum Wilson is also in line for a place on the bench after eight weeks out with a hamstring injury - but there is one potential big blow.

Joelinton, the battering ram who so often gets under the skin of the opposition - namely Arsenal - is a major doubt after being forced off with a knee issue in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday.

The Brazilian was pictured in a leg brace 24 hours after the game but has since had it removed. Howe says Newcastle will give Joelinton “every minute we can to try and make him fit”.

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What Eddie Howe has said about the tie

Newcastle stand just 90 minutes away from their second Carabao Cup semi-final in just three seasons.

“My message is we are at the halfway point in the tie,” said Howe. “Against any opposition, the game is still very much alive. We have to do our part but I think the quality of Arsenal and the team they have, we have to be on our guard.

"We have to approach the game in a really positive and aggressive way, try to be ourselves in every moment and there will be no deviation from that. We are in a good position and need to make the most of every opportunity.

“Nerves and excitement are closely linked to each other as emotions and you have to focus on that side of it, the positive side much more than the negative side. I understand the brain can go in different directions but ultimately, when you look at this game, we are in a cup semi final, what a great opportunity we’ve got - and that’s if it's 0-0.

“So forget any talk of a lead, it’s 0-0 and we are at home. What an opportunity to attack the game and embrace everything in front of us, to be at our best. That is what we are going to try to do.”

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