Arsenal have Kai Havertz back for tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie against Newcastle, while Raheem Sterling is on the bench.
Havertz has missed the last two matches due to illness but returns this evening to lead the attack, while Chelsea loanee Sterling is fit enough to be named as a substitute after a knee injury in a timely double fitness boost for the Gunners.
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Ethan Nwaneri picked up a muscle injury in Arsenal’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton on Saturday and is now set for a few weeks on the sidelines.
The Gunners were already short on forward options given that Bukayo Saka is out with a hamstring injury until March at the earliest.
Manager Mikel Arteta said he was “gutted” for Nwaneri, who has started the last two games for Arsenal and impressed despite being just 17 years old.
Arsenal welcome back Jurrien Timber after the right-back served his one-match suspension against Brighton for picking up five yellow cards in the Premier League this season.
Arteta faced a selection headache at left-back, with Myles Lewis-Skelly coming back to start after some good performances last month. In midfield, Martin Odegaard is fit enough to start after he was hit by illness last week.
The Norwegian missed training in the build-up to Saturday’s draw with Brighton and was only able to come off the bench in the second half. Likewise Gabriel Martinelli, who is also fit to feature from the off tonight.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Partey, Odegaard, Martinelli, Trossard, Havertz
Subs: Porter, Zinchenko, Tierney, Kiwior, Calafiori, Jorginho, Merino, Sterling, Jesus
Injured: Nwaneri (muscular), Saka (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee)
Time and date: 8pm GMT tonight on Tuesday January 7, 2025
Venue: Emirates Stadium
How to watch: Sky Sports and ITV
