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Arsenal will need to overcome a poor recent record against Newcastle to advance to the final of the Carabao Cup.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side will need to almost play the perfect game against Newcastle in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final after a 2-0 loss at the Emirates last month left a huge mountain to climb.
Recently though, the Gunners have been in good form, winning five of their last six games in all competitions, with the 5-1 humbling of Manchester City giving the squad a "boost" according to Arteta.
But such is the hole that the Gunners dug for themselves in the first leg, the margin for error is now zero, as if the Magpies score first, that will almost seal their fate and render the game meaningless.
So there's that. But Arsenal hasn't had the best of records recently against the Magpies, winning just two out of the last seven meetings in all competitions (four losses, two wins, one draw) dating back to 2022.
That has made some think that Newcastle are Arsenal's kryptonite.
"They are a very difficult team to play against and there have been different games," Arteta said via arsenal.com. "We beat them at home last year in a good way, and obviously this season has been different with two very different games as well. It’s another opportunity in front of us, a big one that can take us to Wembley so I’m really looking forward to it."
So, there is ample motivation for the Gunners to come out and win a game that many think is a bridge too far. Being down 2-0 and away from home, but we have seen turnarounds before, and it is imperative that Arsenal scores first.
Plus, Newcastle has lost two of their last three games, with a 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham in their last outing, so the Magpies might be slightly vulnerable, and if the Gunners take the game to the hosts and score, then who knows what could happen.
Arsenal is in better form with the City demolition no doubt in every player's mind as they take the field against Newcastle, and there is a pretty big carrot dangling in front of Arsenal with a trip to Wembley for the final at stake.
The Gunners have navigated what was a poor week with losses to Newcastle and then Manchester United, and Arteta hopes that the recent success will power them to a win and book their spot in the final.