Predicted Newcastle team v Arsenal – Semi-final second leg | OneFootball

Looking at the Newcastle team v Arsenal.

Eddie Howe and his players hoping to complete the job they started 29 days ago.

A stunning performance and result at The Emirates.

Which means that Newcastle United go into tonight’s match at St James’ Park, two goals up at the halfway stage.

So, what can we expect the Newcastle team v Arsenal to be?

As a starting point, this was the Newcastle team v Fulham:

Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

On Tuesday morning, Eddie Howe gave us some pointers as to fitness and availability.

He revealed Callum Wilson was back training and could potentially be in the matchday squad tonight.

Whilst Eddie Howe also stated that Joelinton had only been wearing a knee brace as a precaution and he could still potentially be in the matchday squad against Arsenal. With the training session on Tuesday, following the manager’s press conference, set to be key to the decision.

So, only Harvey Barnes and Jamaal Lascelles set to be missing for sure tonight.

Interesting to also look back at the Newcastle team v Arsenal (images via BBC Sport) in the 1-0 home win at St James’ Park in November:

Plus the Newcastle team v Arsenal that won 2-0 at the Emirates last month:

A fair few differences between these three teams, the two that have beaten Arsenal this season and last weekend’s side that lost to Fulham.

Pope, Longstaff and Willock all played in the win at St James’ Park last November, the latter two joining Bruno in midfield and Joelinton on the left of the front three. Newcastle scored a brilliant early goal, with a superb cross from Gordon playing on the right, a class Isak header. Then the rest of the match restricting Arsenal to minimal chances and winning 1-0.

Whilst in last month’s 2-0 win at Arsenal, both Schar and Bruno suspended. So we had Botman playing right side in central defence, with Joe Willock right side of midfield.

Anyway, my take on all of this, my best guesstimate of the Newcastle team v Arsenal:

Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Longstaff, Bruno, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

I think it is intriguing, trying to work out what Eddie Howe will do.

If Joelinton is ok to start, then I could very well see Eddie Howe going with the same eleven that started in the defeat to Fulham.

However, I think Joelinton will be on bench at best, maybe Howe will look to bring him on later in the game to hopefully help see out the tie. Then on balance, I think it would be Longstaff and not Willock (nor Miley) who would come in. I think with having a 2-0 lead, Longstaff able to give more in terms of helping defensively with his workrate and stamina.

However, especially with that second half against Fulham, I think also not a massive surprise if any of Botman, Pope and Trippier (as well as Longstaff, Willock, or Miley) were announced as in the starting eleven.

By far Arsenal’s biggest threat was on set-pieces in the first leg, Dubravka struggling to deal with them in particular. It would be a massive call to swap keepers at this point but I don’t rule out Eddie Howe bringing in his clear number one. Is there also a case for wondering if the Head Coach playing all three central defenders, especially for when defending those set-pieces.

Burn has been excellent this season but I also wouldn’t rule out Botman coming in to play alongside Schar. The Dutch defender a class act and too good to be on the bench, he was excellent at the Emirates in that first leg.

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)