Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal star will now miss Newcastle United clash alongside Bukayo Saka

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Newcastle United are gearing up to take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

It’s six in six for Eddie Howe following Newcastle’s win against Tottenham on Saturday, their first of two visits to North London in less than a week.

Howe is aiming for his second Carabao Cup final in three seasons – they’ll be hoping to do one better than their last appearance where Newcastle lost to Manchester United at Wembley.

Newcastle’s first trophy since 1969 could be on the horizon, but they have to get past Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal first to set up a final against either Tottenham or Liverpool.

Arsenal are without Bukayo Saka for both legs after he sustained a hamstring injury in December, and on Monday, Arteta confirmed yet another blow to his side ahead of an important game at the Emirates.

Ethan Nwaneri to miss Newcastle Cup tie

Ethan Nwaneri came into Arsenal’s starting XI following Saka’s injury. He scored his second Premier League goal in the Gunners’ 1-1 draw at Brighton on Saturday but was forced off at half-time with an injury.

Arteta held his press conference ahead of Tuesday’s game – and the Arsenal boss confirmed the news that the 17-year-old will miss the fixture against Newcastle.

“Unfortunately, he has picked up an injury and is going to be out for a few weeks,” Arteta said.

Newcastle also have their injury worries. Nick Pope is out of contention for the Arsenal game.

Despite reports Martin Dubravka could leave Newcastle soon, he is favoured to start over Oysseas Vlachodimos.

Emil Krafth is still sidelined following a broken collarbone. Elsewhere, Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes are suspended for the first leg.

Arteta comments on Alexander Isak

Arsenal retain an interest in Newcastle forward Isak – who is in red-hot form. Isak has scored in his last seven Premier League games, the joint-longest run in Newcastle’s history.

During the press conference, Arteta was asked about Isak. He said: “He’s a top player in top form scoring a lot of goals.”

The Swede sits on 13 Premier League goals this season, only Cole Palmer, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah have more.

Neither Howe nor Paul Mitchell are willing to see him go easily, however. Newcastle have placed a £150m price tag on Isak, effectively pricing most clubs out of a deal.