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...