Newcastle United’s primary aim is to qualify for the Champions League, but they could finish as high as second.
That remains a possibility, despite Newcastle’s draw with Brighton.
Eddie Howe’s side will need results to go their way, with a second-place finish no longer in their hands.
Arsenal are in the driving seat, but their priority is the Champions League. They are set to face PSG in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday night, as they look to come from a goal down in Paris.
After that, Mikel Arteta’s side face Liverpool and Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal vs Newcastle is a ‘season-definer’
In the eyes of Ben Foster, those three games are ‘season-definers’ for the Gunners.
The former Premier League goalkeeper has spoken about Arsenal’s remaining games on his YouTube channel, admitting that there is a chance for someone like Newcastle United to finish above them.
“Arsenal are three points above Man City, but they’ve got to play Liverpool and Newcastle,” he said.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“The next three games for Arsenal are season-definers.
“It does [matter if they don’t finish second], because the fans will look at this very differently if they finish third or fourth.
“If they lose to PSG, that’s them out the Champions League. Another season done when it was a real opportunity. Seen off Real Madrid, lost to PSG, oh my gosh.
“Lose to Liverpool, lose to Newcastle – they’re in danger of finishing fourth.”
Foster added: “Arsenal could genuinely finish fourth this season. If you ask Arsenal fans, they would be disappointed.”
Newcastle United’s record away to Arsenal
Newcastle can qualify for the Champions League if they beat Chelsea and win one more game, and Foster has suggested that the second win they need could come away to Arsenal.
The Magpies head to the Emirates Stadium on May 18th, for the third in a trio of season-defining games for Arsenal.
That is an intriguing game for Newcastle. They could be facing an Arsenal side who have all eyes on the Champions League final, or a team that is licking its wounds after a semi-final exit.
No matter what the situation is, Howe’s side will be heading to a stadium where their record is extremely poor.
Since Arsenal swapped Highbury for the Emirates, they have only been beaten twice by Newcastle on home soil.
The first was in November 2010, when Andy Carroll scored the only goal of the game.
The second was earlier this year, with Newcastle winning 2-0 in North London in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
That was one of Newcastle’s best performances under Howe, and will give them great confidence heading into their next trip to the Emirates.