Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, has decided to switch up the starting lineup for their match against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, who were struggling with illness, have been deemed fit to start. Meanwhile, Newcastle has made one change to their starting XI, with former Arsenal player Joe Willock replacing their suspended captain Bruno Guimaraes. Get all the stats, tactical analysis, and recent form information in our match preview before the exciting 90 minutes ahead.
Chelsea and Arsenal Set for Carabao Cup Clash Amidst Injury Concerns
Chelsea and Arsenal are set to face off in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday, January 10th, amidst uncertainty surrounding the availability of key players.
Injury Updates
Both teams have been dealing with injury concerns in the lead-up to the match. Chelsea's Kai Havertz, who has been struggling with an illness, is expected to start the game after being declared fit. However, Arsenal's Martin Odegaard, who has also been battling illness, remains a doubt and could miss the clash.
Team Changes
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, has made one change to his starting lineup, bringing in Fabio Vieira to replace Gabriel Martinelli. Newcastle United, on the other hand, has been forced to make one change, with Joe Willock replacing the suspended Bruno Guimaraes.
Past Encounters
Chelsea and Arsenal have a long and storied history in cup competitions, with the Blues holding a slight advantage in recent years. In the past five meetings in the Carabao Cup, Chelsea has won three, while Arsenal has won two.
Tactical Analysis
Both teams are expected to field strong lineups, with Chelsea likely to deploy a 4-3-3 formation and Arsenal opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation. Chelsea will be looking to utilize their attacking prowess, led by Havertz, while Arsenal will rely on the creativity of Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is the favorite in the match? Chelsea is considered the slight favorite based on their recent form and squad depth.
2. What time and where is the match being played? The match will be played at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, January 10th, at 7:45 PM GMT.
3. Is Havertz expected to play? Yes, Havertz has been deemed fit to start the match after recovering from illness.
4. Who will replace Bruno Guimaraes in Newcastle's lineup? Joe Willock is expected to replace the suspended Guimaraes, providing Newcastle with additional attacking threat.
5. What is the key to victory for each team? For Chelsea, limiting Arsenal's creative players and exploiting space on the wings will be crucial. For Arsenal, maintaining possession, creating chances through Odegaard, and defending resolutely will be vital.
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