Newcastle Eager for Quality Carabao Cup Semi-Final Against Arsenal
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Newcastle, Dec 20 (NationPress) Newcastle United charged into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup following a 3-1 triumph over Brentford. The Magpies will encounter Arsenal in a two-legged series, aspiring to reach their second consecutive League Cup final.
The head coach of Newcastle, Eddie Howe, expressed his enthusiasm about facing the Gunners but mentioned a preference for playing the home leg in the second match of the encounter.
“I believe we were assured of a challenging match, no matter who we faced. At this stage of the tournament, the quality is exceptionally high. Competing against Arsenal, especially given our competitive history over the last few years, is something I eagerly anticipate,” Howe stated.
“While there isn’t much of a difference, we would have preferred to host the second leg. Any match against Arsenal, whether at home or away, poses its challenges. We have experienced several tightly contested games with them.”
“This is an exciting prospect for us, and we’re looking forward to both encounters. It’s unique that they are spaced so far apart, but our focus, right after the match against Brentford, will shift to Ipswich,” Howe added during the press conference.
Newcastle United’s loss in the 2023 Carabao Cup final, where they fell 0-2, will undoubtedly linger in the minds of the players as they aim to break one of the longest trophy droughts in English football. The Toons, known for their rich heritage, haven’t secured a significant trophy since their FA Cup victory in 1955 against Manchester City, where they won 3-1.
The fixtures against Arsenal are yet to be scheduled, but the first leg of the semi-final is anticipated to occur in the week starting January 6, 2025, with the second leg set for the initial week of February 3.
