Eddie Howe knows there is a lot at stake for Newcastle United when they take on Arsenal in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday.  

The Magpies are looking to reach the final of this competition for the second time in three seasons and potentially end their 70-year wait for silverware.

This is only their third appearance in the EFL Cup semi-final, but they have progressed to the final in each of the previous two (1975-76 vs Tottenham and 2022-23 vs Southampton).

Howe's side have won their last six matches in all competitions, including victories over Aston Villa, Manchester United and Spurs, and their boss knows nothing but their best level will be enough to extend that run against the Gunners.

He said: "This is an important game for us. We need to be at our absolute best.

"It is a high-level game with a lot at stake. We've got to be really good off the ball and solid defensively and have to cause Arsenal problems the other way.

"I don't think we should overthink it, we just need to get that mix right. Let's try and continue the good performances we've given recently to win the game."

Striker Alexander Isak has underpinned Newcastle's run with a goal in seven of his last eight appearances, including all of his last four.

The Swede scored the winner against the Gunners at St James' Park when the sides met in the Premier League in November and is aiming to become the first Newcastle player since Laurent Robert in 2001-02 to net against them in two games in a single campaign.

Howe said: "He will naturally feel like scoring when you are on a run of goalscoring games that he is.

"The team is creating for him, the team is playing in a really good way for Alex and others. Alex is playing his part in that by finishing them off, but the team is playing great and creating the chances for him."

Howe is also hopeful Anthony Gordon, who scored the equaliser against Spurs on Saturday, will be fit for the game after being substituted in the second half after suffering a facial injury.

The Newcastle boss said: "Anthony was in a bit of discomfort, I would say. Only with the cut, which was a nasty-looking one.

"Looking back at the decision, I thought it was a foul, I thought it was a clear penalty. He came away from that incident with blood on himself, so we dusted him down.

"He went back on the pitch and performed really well for us. I thought he had a really good game, so we will see how he is today."