Newcastle United will hope to reach a second League Cup final in three seasons when they take on Arsenal in Wednesday night’s semi-final second leg at St James’ Park.
The Magpies ran out 2-0 winners over the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium last month, with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon netting for the visitors.
Newcastle have one foot in the door and will be eager to get the job done when Arsenal face Eddie Howe’s side on Tyneside.
Howe, speaking at his pre-match press conference, gave his verdict on the task at hand for the Magpies against the Gunners.
The Newcastle boss also discussed the “really potent” weapon he’s looking to unleash against Mikel Arteta’s side in the League Cup clash.
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Eddie Howe calls on Newcastle fans to form ‘really potent team’ with players against Arsenal
Howe stressed that the tie is very much alive and, against a team of Arsenal’s quality, Newcastle will need to be at their very best.
“My message is we are at the halfway point in the tie,” said Howe.
“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.”
Howe then spoke about the “really potent” combination of Newcastle’s players and the passionate St James’ Park crowd, calling on the fans to spur their team on once again.
“I think (our success) has been a combination of us and the crowd,” Howe continued.
“I think we’ve become a really potent team together and I think that is what we are going to need in this game.
“We are going to need to engage all our supporters in our energy, body language and every power we possess to involve them in the game because we need to make this a formidable environment for our opponent.
“We need to create positive energy between us and it is our duty to do that.”
Newcastle v Arsenal team news
Newcastle midfielder Joelinton was taken off with a knee injury during the weekend’s loss to Fulham and is a doubt for the Arsenal game.
Callum Wilson could potentially be back after having been sidelined with a hamstring injury since early December, but he too remains a doubt.
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed at his pre-match presser that there are no fresh injury worries since the Manchester City game.
Defender Ben White is set to miss out on the Newcastle clash, with Arteta expecting him back after the break.
Bukayo Saka remains out, while fellow forward Gabriel Jesus is a long-term absentee for Arsenal.
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