Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have received a significant boost ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-finals after being drawn against Newcastle United.
The Gunners booked their place in the last four with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Gabriel Jesus was the star of the night, scoring a hat-trick, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah also got on the scoresheet.
Arsenal will host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of their semi-final tie, before travelling to St James’ Park for the return leg. The matches are scheduled to take place in January and February, with the final set for Wembley Stadium on March 16. The last time Arsenal and Newcastle met in this competition was in January 1996, when Ian Wright’s two goals secured a 2-0 win for the Gunners.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta makes bold claim on Kieran Tierney amid exit reports
Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar to miss Arsenal v Newcastle
Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar will miss the Carabao Cup first-leg against Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)
Newcastle, one of the few teams to defeat Arsenal this season, will be without two key players for the first leg in London. Captain Bruno Guimaraes and defender Fabian Schar are both suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in the competition. Both players received their second bookings during Newcastle’s quarter-final win over Brentford, triggering an automatic one-match suspension under EFL rules.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW.ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
Meanwhile, holders Liverpool have been drawn against Tottenham Hotspur in the other semi-final. Liverpool, the record 10-time winners of the Carabao Cup, will travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first leg before hosting Spurs at Anfield in the second leg.
The draw raises the tantalising possibility of a north London derby in the final, as Arsenal and Tottenham have never met in a major domestic final. However, the two clubs have faced each other in the League Cup semi-finals on four previous occasions, in 1968, 1987, 2007, and 2008.
NEXT ARTICLE: Why Gabriel Jesus’ second goal stood despite offside claims