Matt Upson
Former England and Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Eddie Howe may be thinking about Arsenal's threat from set pieces and has chosen to add another big centre half into the side to deal with it, let's face it that is Arsenal's key weapon.

If Newcastle defend the box well with that extra protection that might be what gets them the result, which is ultimately what the tie is about.

Two-nil is never that comfortable, even in 90 minutes of football. If you are walking in at half time 2-0 up you are happy but you still know how dangerous it is.

It is close enough for the other team to feel like they've got nothing to lose.

Chris Waddle
Former Newcastle & England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

I've not seen Newcastle play three at the back. Eddie Howe is obviously saying, "We're 2-0 up, come and try to beat us."

It is a big ask to change your tactics from a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 to all of a sudden going to five at the back. For some of those players they might be out of their comfort zone.

Joelinton has been in terrific form since he was converted into a midfield player, alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, he is a big part of the team.

Yes, they have Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff but Joelinton will be a big miss.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at At. James' Park

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United's worst fears have been confirmed as Joelinton is ruled out with the knee injury that troubled him during the defeat against Fulham here on Saturday.

The Brazilian's power and threat would have been a significant threat this evening. Sven Botman comes in, suggesting manager Eddie Howe may use a three-man central defence.

Interesting change as right-back, where 34-year-old former England defender Kieran Trippier - who has been linked with a move to Galatasary - comes in to replace Tino Livramento.

Cool heads will be needed in this hothouse atmosphere on Tyneside and Howe will look to Trippier to provide that quality.

Arsenal? Simple.

Same team that beat Manchester City 5-1 on Sunday, preaumably with the message to go out and do it all over again.

Image source, Reuters

Newcastle's recent run of results is a "slight concern" but things are "all set up for a great night" going into tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal, says former captain Alan Shearer.

The Magpies take a 2-0 lead into the second leg at St James' Park but have lost two of their past three Premier League games against Fulham and Bournemouth.

"The players can forget what's gone on at the weekend," Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "It's been an incredibly long time and we're well overdue a trophy, but you've got to go and earn it. You've got to go and get it and grab it.

"I guess there's a lot of fans waiting to click on the buttons to try to book transport, hotels and everything else to get down to Wembley.

"I have a feeling it's not going to be that easy. Newcastle never do things the easy way, so I'm expecting an up-and-down evening.

"It's a tricky situation because it's half-time, technically. You've got a 2-0 lead but Newcastle are at their very, very best when they're playing front-foot football, when they're responding to the crowd, when they show great energy and press from the front."

Matt Upson
Former England and Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is a big, big game for Arsenal's season.

For how good this team have been, for the squad that Mikel Arteta has built, they had had a lot of joy, but they haven't won anything. That is not enough for what the club expects.

Alex Howell
BBC football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Not signing anyone new means Arsenal will have to compete for silverware in the Premier League, Champions League and in tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final at Newcastle, with just one fit senior striker - Kai Havertz.

Havertz has done an excellent job there and has scored 15 goals in 33 games in all competitions this season.

However, he will need to replicate that form without any dips for the rest of the campaign if Arsenal want to get over the line and lift a trophy this season.

Arsenal have lined up Martin Zubimendi as a signing for the summer and also have other long-term plans for the squad so they were careful in how they were going to spend their money in the winter window.

Ollie Watkins was a potential deal and the club approached Aston Villa but with Jhon Duran leaving for Saudi Arabia in a deal around £70m, that was a harder signing to make happen.

It leaves a lot for Arteta to ask of Havertz and his other wide players in the squad but Arsenal have a lot to play for.

Arteta may have to get creative before Arsenal bolster in the summer but if he is able to win something this season, it would make the achievement even bigger.

Arsenal

It was well documented that Arsenal were in the market for a striker in the winter transfer window.

The Gunners had a bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins rejected and Monday's deadline day passed without any additions.

Arsenal are six points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League and are also in the Champions League knockout stage. Despite failing to bolster a position they were looking to strengthen goals have not been too much of an issue for Arsenal this season.

They are the second highest scorers in the Premier League and have scored three or more goals in a game 13 times this season. Asked if he was frustrated not to sign a striker in the winter window, boss Mikel Arteta said: "No, because when you try your best and you do things with the right process.

"You also see the people that we all share the same intentions with and wills, and after you don't achieve it, OK there are things to learn from it, there always are but you have to move on.

"That's a piece that was important in the moment and now we have to move on, and nobody knows whether it is better to have done it or not, and we'll find that out at the end of the season."

Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter at St james' Park

Arsenal are attempting to do what no side has ever done before in the history of the League Cup.

No side has ever lost a home leg, as the first leg, and overcome a two goal deficit away from home.

The odds are stacked against them.

Image source, Reuters

As always, send us your thoughts on the action. Happy with the line-ups?

Which teams will be playing in the Carabao Cup final and why? Contact us via the ways listed above.

Newcastle make two changes from the side who lost to Fulham at the weekend.

Joelinton missing out through injury with Sven Botman starting instead. And Kieran Trippier replaces Tino Livramento.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Subs: Pope, Targett, Livramento, Krafth, Miley, Longstaff, Willock, Osula, Wilson.

Arsenal are unchanged from the side who whacked Manchester City 5-1.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.

Subs: Setford, Tierney, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Calafiori, Jorginho, Merino, Sterling, Nwaneri.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St. James' Park

Newcastle United fans were in confident mood after that superb 2-0 win at Arsenal in the first leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final - but the mood has shifted somewhat in the intervening month.

You can sense the nervousness talking to Newcastle fans around St. James' Park, not helped by recent home defeats against Bournemouth and Fulham.

The Gunners will be in buoyant mood after thrashing Manchester City 5-1 on Sunday.

If Arsenal strike early, those nerves will be jangling even more, but Newcastle have the precious advantage and the other message from those fans chimes exactly with what manager Eddie Howe said before the game.

No just sitting on that 2-0 lead.

Chris Waddle
Former Newcastle & England winger speaking to BBC Sport

Newcastle are best on the front foot. if they sit back then the crowd might get edgy and that plays into Arsenal's hands.

They won the first leg 2-0 and won it well. Yes they were under pressure, facing 20 or so shots, but they coped well and won. It is important that they come out of the blocks quickly.

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Newcastle and Arsenal meet at St James' Park in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals tonight with the Gunners looking to overturn a two-goal deficit, while the hosts are aiming to move one step closer to a first major trophy in 56 years.

Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon both scored at Emirates Stadium on 8 January to ensure Eddie Howe's side have one foot in the final.

Arsenal, however, will be determined to keep their own trophy hopes alive and go into the game on the back of their most impressive result of the season - a 5-1 defeat of reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

Newcastle have been beaten on home soil in their past two games, conceding two or more goals on both occasions.

Bournemouth were the visitors on 18 January and came away 4-1 winners, while Fulham triumphed 2-1 there on 1 February.

The Gunners have been pretty free-scoring away from home and have hit three or more goals on the road five times this season, scoring five goals on three of those occasions.

Hello and welcome along to BBC Sport's coverage of the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg as Newcastle take on Arsenal, with the Magpies holding a two-goal advantage after the first leg.

Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT and you will be able to listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live with Ian Dennis and Chris Waddle.

By the end of the night we will know the first of the finalists. If Arsenal are leading this match by a two-goal margin after 90 minutes then it will go to extra time and then maybe penalties.

It seems a long time ago since Newcastle produced a superb performance to win 2-0 at Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final back in January.

Now, finally, it is time for the second leg with Newcastle in pole position to get themselves to Wembley. But Arsenal, buoyed by a superb 5-1 win over Manchester City at the weekend, will be confident of turning the tie around.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images