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Newcastle United squad revealed for Arsenal with Bruno replacement and captain decision

Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, Lewis Hall, Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon
-Credit:Getty Images


Newcastle United head to Arsenal for tonight's crucial Carabao Cup semi-final first leg without six first-team players, but with a strong squad confident of bringing a positive result back to Tyneside for next month's second leg.

Eddie Howe's side are on the crest of a wave following seven consecutive wins in all competitions, with striker Alexander Isak in exellent goalscoring form. However, they will face a tough task against a Gunners side currently second in the Premier League table.

Two-legged games are always difficult to prepare for, but a win at the Emirates tonights would set up United for a huge second leg in front of the St James' Park faithful in early February. However, they must do it without captain Bruno Guimaraes, who is suspended after picking up two bookings in this season's competition.

He is joined by Fabian Schar who will also serve a one-match ban, while Callum Wilson, Nick Pope, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth remain on the injury list. Sven Botman made a welcome return the first team against Tottenham on Saturday and will keep his place in the squad, although Howe will liaise with medical staff over whether the Dutch defender is able to play two games in such a short space of time after a nine-month lay-off.

READ MORE: Arsenal vs Newcastle United LIVE: Early teams and updates from the Emirates

"It's a combination, we have to speak to the player, the medical team, the experts," Howe said of Botman. "They'll give me some of the answers to what we do with him next. But he's a competitor. He is hugely driven for the team and himself. So I've no doubts what he will say but, as I say, we need to speak to other people and make the right decision."

Martin Dubravka is set to continue in goal despite talk of an imminent transfer to Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia, while Kieran Trippier is fit to start should Howe decide to rest Tino Livramento or Lewis Hall. The former England defender started the wins over Aston Villa and Manchester United but was on the bench at Spurs after a slight illness.

Newcastle United squad vs Arsenal: Dubravka, Vlachodimos, Ruddy, Livramento, Trippier, Botman, Burn, Hall, Kelly, Targett, Tonali, Longstaff, Miley, Joelinton, Willock, Murphy, Almiron, Gordon, Barnes, Isak, Osula.