It doesn’t happen very often but Arsenal have now done Newcastle United a big favour.
This comes as Eddie Howe and his players aim to finish the season in the best way possible, seven Premier League games remaining.
Newcastle United currently seven points off the Champions League places and four points off seventh and guaranteed European football of some sort. Although if results in the Premier League and for English clubs in Europe this season fall right, the PL places giving European football could even go as low as eleventh.
After a ridiculous schedule of playing every midweek and weekend, Eddie Howe and Newcastle United had the prospect of playing just once a week for the remaining seven PL matches, the NUFC boss having a full week to prepare for each game.
However, Arsenal getting through to the FA Cup semi-finals would have ruined that. As the United match at the Emirates scheduled for Saturday 25 April would have had to move to a midweek slot.
Thankfully that won’t now be the case, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal hilariously losing 2-1 to Championship club Southampton on Saturday, exiting the FA Cup.
So the Arsenal v Newcastle match is now confirmed for 5.30pm on Saturday 25 April.
Also, with the Gunners strongly fancied to get past Sporting Lisbon, Arsenal are set to have the first leg of a Champions League semi-final only three or four days after the Newcastle United match.
The only way now where Newcastle United and Eddie Howe would not have a free week to prepare for each of the remaining seven Premier League matches, is if West Ham get to the FA Cup final. They would need to beat Leeds today and then also defeat a semi-final opponent if the Hammers progress on Sunday.
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Sunday 12 April (2pm) is now confirmed
Newcastle United v Bournemouth
Saturday 18 April (3pm) is now confirmed
Arsenal v Newcastle
Saturday 25 April (5.30pm) is now confirmed.
Newcastle v Brighton
Saturday 2 May (3pm) is now confirmed
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle
Sunday 10 May (2pm) is now confirmed.
Newcastle v West Ham
Sunday 17 May (3pm) TBC
TV selections haven’t been made as yet. However, if West Ham win their FA Cup quarter-final against Leeds AND then a subsequent semi-final, the FA Cup final is on Saturday 16 May and so the NUFC match couldn’t be played that weekend.
Fulham v Newcastle
Sunday 24 May (4pm) is confirmed. All Premier League matches kick off same time and date in final PL round of games.