Eddie Howe says Newcastle must be “in their guard” against Arsenal as they are trying to secure a place in the EFL Cup final tomorrow night.
Magpies, who have not requested a domestic trophy since 1955, have won the first part of their semifinals against Gunners 2-0 in the Emirates after being able to withstand huge pressure on a victory.
But Howe is skeptical of being dragged against a team that showed their aggressive courage to demolish the defense of the Premier League Manchester City champions on Sunday.
Eddie Howe in the second leg of tomorrow against Arsenal:
“My message is that we are half the point of the tie. Against any opposition, the game is still very alive. We have to approach the game in a truly positive and aggressive way, try and be ourselves, there will be no … pic.twitter.com/7jmd4lwooq
– Newcastle United (@nufc) 4 February 2025
He said: “I think my message is half the point, the game off was a good performance by us, but against any opposition, the game is still alive. Then you add Arsenal’s quality (and) we must be in the Our guard.
“We must try to be positive and aggressive, there will be no divergence from it. We have to engage the crowd and try to make the most of every opportunity.”
Difficult window for Howe
Newcastle has failed to add to their team in the January window as they continue to compete with PSR requirements, although they have brought some necessary revenue through Lloyd Kelly’s sales to Juventus and Miguel Almiron in Atlanta United.
“I said at first that it was not a case of looking at incomes, a case of trying to manage the costs and not weaken the team too much that will be affected,” Howe added.
“We have managed the PSR and the two sales succeed. The team is lighter but full of quality. We can still achieve success.”
How she hesitates to let Kelly leave
Kelly’s sale was a special blow to Howe, but it was economically meaningful with the Saudi Arabian club that brought him to free transfer last summer.
“I don’t think it was necessarily my decision to let him go, very reluctant for our part,” Howe said.
“Lloyd is a player we have just signed, we believe in his properties. Slightly frustrating he did not play any more but that was perhaps under the form of others. We had to try to manage the PSR and make decisions that benefit us, this is a one of them.
