Arsenal's preparations for tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium are bolstered by the return of Raheem Sterling to the matchday squad.
Sterling, who joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Chelsea, has been sidelined since December 20, 2024, due to a knee injury sustained during training.
Manager Mikel Arteta had previously indicated that Sterling's recovery was progressing well, raising hopes for his imminent return to action.
Despite Sterling's availability, he starts on the bench for tonight's crucial fixture. Arsenal's starting XI features:
- **Goalkeeper**: David Raya
- **Defenders**: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Myles Lewis-Skelly
- **Midfielders**: Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Martin Ødegaard
- **Forwards**: Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz
The Gunners are currently managing several injury concerns. Bukayo Saka remains out following hamstring surgery and is not expected to return until March.
Ethan Nwaneri is sidelined with a muscular injury sustained during the recent 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, where he scored Arsenal's goal. Additionally, defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are unavailable due to knee injuries.
Manager Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence in the squad's depth to navigate this challenging period, emphasizing the importance of competing for trophies despite the injury setbacks. The return of Sterling to the squad provides a timely boost as Arsenal seeks a positive result in the first leg of the semi-final against a formidable Newcastle side.
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