Influential defender Fabian Schar is suspended for the clash with Mikel Arteta's side. The Swiss defender played a huge part in Newcastle's resolute defence that secured Champions League football in 2022/23 and the same side that reached the final in 2023.

Arteta, after all, embarked on a rant against refereeing standards in England after Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal survived three separate VAR checks to seal a Newcastle win in November 2023. Quite whether or not it will prove to be a popular decision or not given the debate surrounding VAR remains to be seen.

Arsenal entertain Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final this evening.Both sides are just a two-legged tie from reaching Wembley and a shot at the first silverware of the