Newcastle United’s chances of beating Arsenal take a hit after what’s come out about Bruno Guimaraes

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Newcastle United will be without club captain Bruno Guimaraes for Tuesday’s clash against Arsenal.

Just three games stand between Newcastle United and silverware this season with the Magpies now in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal are up next for the Magpies, with the first leg of the semi-finals taking place in North London on Tuesday night.

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While qualifying for the Champions League is a top target for Newcastle, winning silverware is at the very top of the priority list with the club’s last major honour coming back in 1955.

Alan Shearer is desperate to win the Carabao Cup and that feeling is shared among the Newcastle fanbase. Lifting silverware feels like the final hurdle to the club being able to compete at the very highest level.

Carabao Cup dilemma with Bruno Guimaraes suspended

Newcastle have already beat Arsenal this season when Alexander Isak scored the only goal of their Premier League meeting back in November.

However, this time around it is Arsenal who have home advantage and Newcastle are also missing two key players.

Sean Longstaff could replace Bruno Guimaraes in midfield with the Toon captain suspended for the cup clash. Fabian Schar is also suspended after picking up a booking in the win over Brentford last time out.

Howe has found his strongest XI at Newcastle during the recent six-game winning streak but he will be forced to chop and change his side for the trip to London.

Arsenal will also be without some key players, though, with Bukayo Saka out injured and Raheem Sterling a major doubt.

Alarming Bruno Guimaraes stat suggests Newcastle will struggle

Bruno Guimaraes has been in great form for Newcastle so will be a major miss for the Magpies against Arsenal.

Thankfully he will return for the second leg at St James’ Park in early February, but Newcastle’s record without the Brazilian makes for worrying reading.

Since Guimaraes signed for Newcastle from Lyon back in January 2022, he has only missed seven games. Remarkably, Newcastle have failed to win any of the seven games when Guimaraes was absent.

It emphasises just how important and reliable Guimaraes is for Newcastle, with the 27-year-old starting every Premier League game this season.

He has also appeared in every Carabao Cup game so far this season, although his only start came in the the 3-1 win over Brentford.

If Newcastle fans weren’t already worried about their chances of picking up a result on Tuesday evening, Howe has never won at The Emirates. But after picking up a win in North London already this week, there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic!