Arsenal fans comments on Newcastle United ahead of semi-final second leg – Intriguing | OneFootball

Arsenal fans have had plenty to say ahead of facing Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

The second leg is on Wednesday night at St James’ Park, following United’s 2-0 away win 29 days ago at the Emirates.

Some intriguing and very differing views from Arsenal fans, regarding tomorrow night’s match.

In terms of the likely result AND just how Mikel Arteta should approach this game.

Arsenal fans commenting via their Arsenal Mania message board:

‘This feels decidedly like an anticlimactic event after the Man City game.

Difficult to muster any enthusiasm about this.

Hopefully no injuries.’

‘Saka is back. Saw him in training pics.’

‘There is absolutely no way I believe he is back for this but let’s say he is, and he has had a few training sessions.

You would feel comfortable with putting him in versus Newcastle of all teams after a long-term injury days before the team leaves for what will almost be a mini preseason where they can build fitness in a stable environment?

Even if he was back for this, I would prefer Nwaneri for this. Let the boy cook!

Go the same team as versus City but with Cala, Jorgi and Nwaneri in.’

‘Weird match, more determined to beat these than to actually reach the final.’

‘Get the first goal and it’s game on.’

‘Hopefully we win but it’s difficult there. We have not won away at Newcastle in the last 4 years.

Nwaneri to start. I’d love Partey to play as well but probably he needs resting. It’s a big semi-final, we can’t afford to leave out the centrebacks but they need a rest also.’

‘We beat them 2-0 in 2023.’

‘Yes, how did I forget. Wish Ødegaard took more long shots.’

‘Is it true Joelinton is out for this?’

‘He’s a doubt.’

‘Partey is a tough one for this. He 100% needs a rest but given the scale of what we need to do I don’t see how you drop him.’

‘Question is would you take a come back but with an injury to Partey?

I personally wouldn’t.’

‘Last game before the break we are going all in 100%.’

‘Ask me a fortnight ago, I say no chance, now their form has dipped significantly and we’re on a high.

That said they’re desperate to win a trophy and are playing at their place, which will generate a huge atmosphere, so my feeling is we end up with a narrow win but they go through.

Or perhaps, Mikel does a Mikel and given our priorities, we rotate and lose. Don’t think that will happen though as we have a long break after this.’

‘We have a 10 day break after this – go hell for leather, play our best team and see where that gets us. After the whistle just go straight to Dubai.

As for team selection – Nwaneri has to start this game imo. Newcastle have a two goal advantage, they have no incentive to attack us and leave space in behind which completely negates Martinelli’s use. I expect Newcastle to set up in a low-mid block and look to hurt us on the counter. We need a player with guile and shooting ability: that’s Ethan.’

‘This gonna the most boring game of history of football Newcastle are 2-0 lead our forward already struggle against them in tow games they’ll sit deep and just tell us come and try to score.

Honestly not even bothered all I want no injures so it won’t affect us later. We got 10 days rest after this so I expect Mikel go with strong team maybe he’ll rotate 2-3 players.’

‘we need to put out a good team and go for it. Our recent domestic cup record is embarassing.’

‘Our team is full of confidence don’t think they care about us not buying forward they not fans so I expect really good performance here.

All we should do is supporting our players they not the blame of club being unambitious them and the manager doing all they can this season.’

‘An early goal and it’s an open game from then on. We need to start aggressively.

We will get chances. Just a question if they will go into the cameraman or the goal.’

‘This could actually be a fun game. We will need to attack. We might as well go for it aggressively in the first half and if we concede, start resting the players with an eye to the weekend.’

‘This game will be kinda different they will sit deep and we will struggle to create. I want to be positive but cannot see us turning this around also cause we put in a lot of energy against City.’

‘Also Newcastle one of these teams can match us physically and their defense is miles better than the likes of city. i’d be more positive if 1-0 but 2-0 it’ll need newcastle to have such off day defensively.’

‘Which is the rule if we want to go to the final?’

‘This is doable. Confidence is up, get the first goal and it’s on. Concede and we may as well sub Kiwi, Zini and Jorgi on.’

‘This game is good practice for Anfield

Tough place to go, the place will be jumping, referees on their side, etc etc.’

‘Newcastle love to raise their game against the big teams tbf. It’s been the story of their season.’

‘I think we shouldn’t go gung ho. If we sit back and deny them space, and hit them on the counter we may just do better. Similar to how we just played City.’

‘Newcastle struggling a bit at home recently. I wouldn’t write us off. Get a fairly early goal and it’s on.’

‘Score first even if it’s still 0-0 60m gone.

Their crowd will get nervous and due to it being a cup game a larger than usual away following the atmosphere will change.’

‘Last two times we’ve been to SJP we have stunk the place out. Would just like us to put in a proper performance here.’

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)

Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle (5.45pm) BBC1 and BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)

Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 26 February – Liverpool v Newcastle (8.15pm) TNT Sports

(Weekend of Saturday 1 March –  NUFC will play in FA Cup fifth round if getting past Birmingham)

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 15 March – Newcastle v Crystal Palace (3pm)