Arsenal handed ideal suspension boost for Newcastle Carabao Cup semi-final

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been handed a huge boost following last night’s Carabao Cup semi-final draw. The Gunners will play Newcastle United over two legs, with the Spanish boss targeting a first major trophy since winning the FA Cup with his team in 2020.

But the north-east club are also determined to win domestic silverware themselves, with the club having been waiting since their own FA Cup success back in 1955.

Tottenham face Liverpool in the other two-legged tie, with the matches being played in the weeks beginning January 6 and February 3 next year.

Arsenal will be at home in the first leg, and arguably, have been given the advantage without Arteta even having to contemplate what his side will be. Newcastle will go to the Emirates without key players Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar, who are both suspended.

That’s after the pair picked up bookings in their side’s 3-1 win quarter-final win over Brentford on Wednesday. Under current competition rules, any player shown two yellow cards before the semi-final stage is handed a one-match ban.

Bruno has again been pivotal to Newcastle this season, playing 20 times in all competitions. But with his side 1-0 up at St James’ Park, he was cautioned six minutes before the break, and later took to social media to acknowledge his ban.

“Very happy to be in another semi-final with this club,” wrote the Brazilian midfielder. “The second in three years, and we want more. Happy for another assist and for the team’s performance. On the other hand, sad to be suspended for the first leg of the semi-final. We move forward together in pursuit of our goals.”

Swiss defender Schar’s fate was sealed by then – despite scoring in the second half he’d already been yellow carded after 17 minutes. Both players started the final under Eddie Howe in the 2022/23 season, where Newcastle were beaten 2-0 at Wembley by Manchester United.

Arteta has the luxury of no players being suspended, although did try to rotate his squad for the last-eight tie with Crystal Palace. However, with his side 1-0 down at the break, he was forced into using a number of key players, including the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.

It’s not just Arsenal who have been boosted though. Arne Slot’s Liverpool will head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January with the hosts missing two key players after their 4-3 win over United.

James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr both picked up yellow cards in the seven-goal thriller and will also serve a first-leg suspension. The cup holders themselves though, won’t be missing any personnel for disciplinary reasons.