Newcastlevs.Arsenal

The Gunners are still having to cope without injured trio Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), while Ben White is closing in on a return from a long-term knee injury, although this contest may come too soon for the defender.

David Raya managed to shake off a muscle injury to start in Arsenal's thumping 5-1 Premier League win over Manchester City on Sunday and the Spanish goalkeeper is expected to retain his place between the sticks ahead of Neto.

Myles Lewis-Skelly capped his impressive display in the victory against Man City by scoring his first senior goal for Arsenal, and the 18-year-old will be hoping to retain his place at left-back ahead Riccardo Calafiori, while Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are all set to complete the back four.

Captain Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey were also on the scoresheet against City and are poised to continue in centre-midfield alongside Sunday's Man of the Match Declan Rice, although Mikel Merino is another midfield option at Mikel Arteta's disposal.

Ethan Nwaneri, who has three EFL Cup goals to his name this season, and Raheem Sterling will both be looking to force their way into the first XI, but Arteta is expected to stick with a front three of Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard

Written by

Oliver Thomas