Newcastle's hopes of reaching Carabao Cup final shoot up - Double boost confirmed

Newcastle have been handed a major boost ahead of both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

The Magpies cruised past Brentford at St. James’ Park to make it to the final four, and will travel to the Emirates for the opening leg on January 7 before welcoming the Gunners to NE1 in February.

Alexander Isak’s opener proved the difference maker when we met Mikel Arteta’s side in Premier League action this season, and the Spanish coach has been dealt a major blow in his search for redemption.

Arsenal star ruled out of both legs

Speaking after Arsenal's 1-0 win over Ipswich last night, Mikel Arteta revealed the full extent of Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury.

"He had a procedure," said the Arsenal boss. "Everything went well, but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks.

"I said many weeks, so I think it will be more than two months. I don't know exactly how much longer.

"It will depend on how the scar tissue starts to heal, the first week or so, the mobility of that. Let's see, it's very difficult to say."

Perhaps a good indicator of how Arsenal will play came on Friday’s narrow 1-0 victory over Ipswich in their first game without Saka. The same Tractor Boys we could have scored five or six just a week prior, Arsenal struggled to break down at the Emirates.

With 16 goal involvements so far this season, Saka has been involved in 46% of Arsenal's 35 Premier League goals this season and will be a massive miss.

Huge chance to make final

The devastating news for Arsenal truly could not have come at a better time for us as we look to reach our second Carabao Cup final in three seasons.

Even with our attacking prowess of recent weeks, Arsenal’s defence will be incredibly hard to break down - boasting the least goals conceded in the Premier League this season. 

They aren’t impenetrable though as we have proved this season, and if we can make the most of the absent Saka and keep a clean sheet at the Emirates then we have every chance of doing a number on them at SJP.