Newcastle United host Arsenal in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final when the teams clash at St. James’ Park this evening.

Eddie Howe’s men triumphed 2-0 in the first leg in an impressive victory away from home with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scoring either side of half-time to give the Magpies a decent aggregate lead heading into this match. However, Newcastle have lost two of their last three matches and come into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat at home versus Fulham. This slight dip in form may be concerning as they face a confident Arsenal side.

Mikel Arteta’s men defeated Manchester City 5-1 in their last outing extending their unbeaten run to six games. They are staying in touch with Liverpool in the Premier League title race and will bring a determined focus to overturn the deficit.

Follow all the action from St. James’ Park with our live blog below:

Newcastle vs Arsenal LIVE

• Newcastle host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with kick off at 8pm | Live on Sky Sports Main Event

• Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes, Hall; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

• Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli

• Eddie Howe's side hold 2-0 aggregate lead after winning first leg at Emirates Stadium

• Arsenal come into the match with confidence having beaten Man City 5-1 last time out

Newcastle United FC - Arsenal FC

Arteta on Havertz

19:15 , Mike Jones

The Arsenal boss explained why Kai Havertz is such an important member of the squad.

He said: “Kai has played so many games, and been so important when other players, some big players as well, were available.

“So it’s not because a player is not coming into his position that he’s going to be more important. In my opinion it’s nothing to do with that.”

Eddie Howe confident Newcastle will step up for cup semi-final after Fulham loss

19:10 , Mike Jones

Eddie Howe is confident Newcastle will step up for their Carabao Cup semi-final showdown with Arsenal after suffering a second-successive Premier League horror show at St James’ Park.

Two weeks after being humbled 4-1 on their own pitch by Bournemouth, the Magpies squandered a lead to lose 2-1 to Fulham, the worst possible preparation for Wednesday night’s second leg against the Gunners, into which they will take a 2-0 lead.

Eddie Howe confident Newcastle will step up for cup semi-final after Fulham loss

'A big night on Tyneside'

19:08 , Richard Jolly at St. James' Park

“A big night on Tyneside.

“When Newcastle won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium a month ago, the tie felt almost over. But with Newcastle losing their last two games at home and Arsenal walloping Manchester City 5-1, there are reasons to think a comeback could be possible.

“The first goal could be pivotal. That may explain why Eddie Howe has recalled the experienced Kieran Trippier.

“Arsenal, unsurprisingly, are unchanged.”

Newcastle team to face Arsenal

19:05 , Mike Jones

Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes, Hall; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Arsenal team to face Newcastle

19:02 , Mike Jones

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli

Can Newcastle beat Arsenal three times in a row?

18:55 , Mike Jones

Newcastle have won four of their last seven meetings with Arsenal in all competitions, as many as they had in their previous 45.

They’ve never beaten the Gunners in three different matches in a single campaign before.

A bleak outlook for Arsenal

18:50 , Mike Jones

Before this season, there were 31 cases of a team losing the first leg of a League Cup semi-final at home.

Only two of the previous 31 have progressed to the final, with Arsenal being the last to do so against Tottenham in 1986/87.

Newcastle vs Arsenal

18:45 , Mike Jones

Newcastle are aiming to reach the League Cup final for the third time, progressing from both of their semi-final ties in 1975/76 and 2022/23.

They’ve won both of their previous semi-final home legs.

Can Newcastle reach the final?

18:40 , Mike Jones

Newcastle reached the Carabao Cup final two years ago in what was their first Wembley final visit since the 1999 FA Cup final.

They faced Manchester United who ran out 2-0 winners in Erik ten Hag’s first year in charge extending Newcastle's long wait for a trophy.

Howe’s men are primed to make it to Wembley again and anything but defeat by three goals or more will give them a chance to reach the showpiece match.

White and Saka unavailable

18:35 , Mike Jones

Mikel Arteta gave a disappointing update to Arsenal fans when addressing which of his players will be fit for tonight’s match.

“There’s no news from the game against City,” he said, “Ben [White] is still out.

“Hopefully after the break, he will be available, [Bukayo] Saka not yet.”

Newcastle condemn ‘appalling racist abuse’ aimed at Joe Willock on social media

18:30 , Mike Jones

Newcastle United have notified police after midfielder Joe Willock found himself the target of an “appalling” racist online attack on Saturday evening.

The 25-year-old revealed he was abused on Instagram in the wake of a disappointing 2-1 Premier League defeat by Fulham at St James’ Park, the Magpies’ second in succession following Bournemouth’s 4-1 victory on Tyneside two weeks earlier.

Newcastle condemn ‘appalling racist abuse’ aimed at Joe Willock on social media

Can Arsenal win?

18:25 , Mike Jones

The Gunners will be confident about heading into tonight’s encounter.

Not only are they in fine form but they know that Newcastle have been beaten on home soil in their last two games, conceding two or more goals on both occasions.

It’ll need to happen again tonight if Arsenal are to make it to the final and Eddie Howe seems determined not to let that happen.

Will history repeat itself?

18:20 , Mike Jones

Only two teams in the history of the League Cup have overcome a home defeat in the first leg to reach the final, but Arsenal were the last team to do so when they famously pipped Tottenham Hotspur in 1986/87.

'We're at the halfway point'

18:15 , Mike Jones

Eddie Howe isn’t letting his Newcastle players get ahead of themselves due to their lead and has stressed the semi-final tie is only at the halfway stage.

Howe said: “My message is we are at the halfway point in the tie. Against any opposition, the game is still very much alive.

“We have to do our part but I think the quality of Arsenal and the team they have, we have to be on our guard.

"We have to approach the game in a really positive and aggressive way, try to be ourselves in every moment and there will be no deviation from that. We are in a good position and need to make the most of every opportunity.”

Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly makes himself known to the world

18:10 , Mike Jones

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s outrageous celebration in Arsenal’s 5-1 thumping of Manchester City announced the club’s 18-year-old academy star on to the world stage.

The audacious decision to goad one of the game’s blue-chip names in Erling Haaland followed a clash between the two players at the Etihad in September.

Haaland did not take kindly to Lewis-Skelly’s involvement in a post-match scuffle after the chaotic 2-2 draw.

Who are you? Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly makes himself known to the world

Arteta on bringing momentum into tonight's match

18:05 , Mike Jones

Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Manchester City at the weekend has given them a huge boost ahead of this must-win encounter.

They need to overturn a two goal deficit to win and reach the final but Mikel Arteta says his players will go ‘full gas’ to try and win.

“The next stop is a final in Wembley so we know how big that is and you can feel it,” said Arteta.

“The momentum is with us and we have a break (after the game against Newcastle) so now is the the moment to go full gas.

“We’re excited, willing, hungry and enthusiastic because we are very close to playing a final and hopefully we can achieve that tomorrow.”

No new striker is 'not a gamble' says Arteta

18:00 , Mike Jones

Of Arsenal’s failed striker pursuit in the transfer window Mikel Arteta added: “It’s not a gamble, it’s reality and we have to face the reality.

“I am not worried. Now I focus on the numbers that we have, how to maximise them, how to make the best out of them.

“With all the problems that we have already had, it’s remarkable what the team has done (this season) so I have full faith in them.”

Mikel Arteta ‘disappointed’ that Arsenal failed to sign a striker

17:55 , Mike Jones

Mikel Arteta admits he was disappointed Arsenal did not sign a new striker but believes it is not a gamble.

“We had a clear intention to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can impact it. And we haven’t achieved that so we are disappointed in that sense.

“We are very aware that we only want to bring a certain kind of player in and we have to be very disciplined with that as well.

“After you don’t achieve it, for sure there are things to learn from it, there always are but you have to move on. Nobody knows whether it is better to have done it or not. We’ll know probably at the end of the season.

“But we’re going to have to be very flexible with the front line. Leo can play in that position. Raheem [Sterling] has played in that position. Ethan [Nwaneri], I think, can play in that position. [Gabriel] Martinelli can play there, too. At some point, we’re going to have to try something different.”

Why Arsenal didn't sign a striker in January and how Alexander Isak could make them regret it

17:50 , Mike Jones

Over the last few days, the only serious mention of Alexander Isak at Arsenal has been in preparation for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup match.

They already knew he was impossible to get in the January window. They’re aware it won’t be far off impossible in the summer, perhaps even harder than pinning him down at St James’ Park to overturn a 2-0 deficit.

If it will no doubt irritate people at Newcastle United to start discussion of a semi-final second leg with talk of potentially selling their star, it is naturally framed by Monday, and what happened in the last few days.

Why Arsenal didn't sign a striker and how Alexander Isak could make them regret it

Howe on Llyod Kelly's departure

17:45 , Mike Jones

Former Newcastle player Lloyd Kelly exited the club in the closing stages of the January Transfer Window having made the switch to Juventus.

Eddie Howe was asked about his departure and revealed: "We were very reluctant from our side because Lloyd is a player that had recently signed. We believed in him and his qualities. It was slightly frustrating for him that he hadn't play more in part due to the other players in form around him.

"We're in a world of trying to manage PSR and try to make decisions that benefit us in the long-term and this is one of those decisions. Lloyd leaves with our best wishes. I'm sure he'll do well in Italy and it's an exciting, new challenge for him."

Eddie Howe issues injury update

17:40 , Mike Jones

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe provided an injury update on Callum Wilson and Joelinton.

The crucial midfielder hurt his knee in Newcastle’s Premier League outing with Fulham and Howe said: “Joey was, after the game, put in a knee brace just as a precaution and is out of that now.

“We'll assess how he is with this game and I would say he is a doubt but we will give him every chance to be fit.

"Our centre midfield, we have good strength in depth in that position currently. Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley – three quality players who will all bring something different and can step in.”

Speaking of Wilson he added: “There is a chance (with Callum). We have another training session to get through so we will see. Let’s get through training before we make a decision.”

What happened in the first leg?

17:35 , Mike Jones

Newcastle made the trip to the Emirates Stadium and successfully came away with a crucial lead in the tie.

Alexander Isak scored before half-time and almost added a second after the break but his shot was pushed wide.

Luckily for the Magpies it fell to Anthony Gordon who tapped home to ensure Eddie Howe’s men left London with a two goal advantage.

Newcastle and Arsenal now meet at St James' Park in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals with the hosts aiming to move one step closer to a first major trophy in 56 years.

The two reasons behind Arsenal and Man Utd's frustrating January transfer window

17:30 , Mike Jones

As the window closed on Monday evening, there were only a few clubs - maybe Manchester City and Aston Villa - who were in any way satisfied with their business.

One of the major issues with January signings was instead illustrated by two of England’s biggest clubs. Both Arsenal and Manchester United wanted to bring in forwards, and were still discussing options in the final 24 hours.

A huge problem was that the extra costs required in this window would almost certainly have affected better business later.

The two reasons behind Arsenal and Man Utd's frustrating January transfer window

Newcastle vs Arsenal prediction

17:25 , Mike Jones

Despite Arsenal’s resounding victory over Manchester City, Newcastle will make it far more difficult for the Gunners in attack and will offer a threat of their own going forward.

Expect a close game and maybe some surprises but Eddie Howe’s team should have enough ability on the pitch to reach the final.

Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal (Newcastle progress 3-1 on aggregate)

Arsenal realy team news

17:20 , Mike Jones

Mikel Arteta has no new injury concerns after the win over Man City, though both Bukayo Saka and Ben White are still a few weeks away from a return.

Takehiro Tomiyasu looks like a longer-term absentee, while Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out for the rest of the season after his ACL injury.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Nwaneri, Havertz, Martinelli.

Newcastle's early team news

17:15 , Mike Jones

For Newcastle, the only long-term absentees are Harvey Barnes and Jamaal Lascelles. Callum Wilson could make a return to the squad after a longer lay-off.

Joelinton could be another doubt after coming off against Fulham with a knee problem, with Joe Willock in line to replace him as he did at the weekend.

Predicted Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

How can I watch it?

17:10 , Mike Jones

It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Football, with coverage getting underway at 7pm. A live stream will be available via Sky Go.

When is Newcastle vs Arsenal?

17:05 , Mike Jones

The Carabao Cup semi-final fixture will kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday, 5 February.

Newcastle vs Arsenal

17:00 , Mike Jones

Newcastle face Arsenal in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie with the hosts looking to make the final of this competition for the second time in three seasons.

The Magpies are hoping for another chance to end their 70-year trophy drought, having lost 2-0 to Manchester United in the Wembley showpiece in 2023.

And they are well-positioned to make the final, having beaten the Gunners 2-0 at the Emirates last month.

Mikel Arteta’s side are in a buoyant mood after demolishing Manchester City 5-1 at the weekend, but while Eddie Howe’s men lost to Fulham recently, they tend to be far more impressive at home, and will be spurred on by a raucous St James’ Park crowd.

Good evening!

Tuesday 4 February 2025 12:10 , Mike Jones

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Carabao Cup action as Newcastle United host Arsenal.

The Magpies hold a 2-0 lead on aggregate ahead of this second leg and are 90 minutes away from a place at Wembley.

Eddie Howe’s team are desperate to win some silverware and will planned to defend their lead against Mikel Arteta’s high-flying Gunners.

We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and updates throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.