The Carabao Cup semi-final draw has pitted Newcastle United against Arsenal, with the first leg to take place at the Emirates Stadium in early January. Eddie Howe’s side secured their spot in the last four with a commanding 3-1 win over Brentford, while Arsenal advanced thanks to a hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus in their 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace.
The first leg of the semi-final is scheduled for the week commencing January 6, with the return leg at St James’ Park set for early February. The winners will progress to the final at Wembley on March 16, where they will face either Liverpool or Tottenham, who contest the other semi-final. Newcastle’s quest to lift their first major trophy since 1955 continues, but Arsenal’s resilience and experience present a significant hurdle
Newcastle’s January schedule appears to offer some respite compared to their semi-final rivals. Without the added burden of European football, Howe’s squad will have more opportunity to rotate and rest. After their trip to Arsenal, the Magpies face League Two side Bromley in the FA Cup at St James’ Park, followed by a manageable set of Premier League fixtures against Wolves and Bournemouth at home.
This advantage could prove decisive, as Arsenal’s packed January slate includes nine games across three competitions. Mikel Arteta’s squad begins the year with challenging fixtures against Brentford, Brighton, and Manchester United in the FA Cup, followed by a north London derby against Tottenham and a Champions League match with Dinamo Zagreb.
Despite Newcastle’s relative freshness, Arsenal’s depth and firepower remain a formidable challenge. Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka had to step in to rescue Arsenal in the quarter-final against Crystal Palace, and their contributions will likely be crucial as the Gunners navigate a congested fixture list.