Newcastle United now know all their remaining fixture dates after the FA Cup weekend
Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal players react after defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals
Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal players react after defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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Newcastle United won't endure another fixture change after Arsenal's shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton.
The Magpies were watching intently as the Gunners took on Championship outfit Southampton in their FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday night, knowing that if Mikel Arteta's men had won it would have impacted on their own trip to the Emirates later this month.
Newcastle travel to North London to face Arsenal on April 25 with a 5.30pm kick-off, but that game would have been moved had the Gunners beat Southampton, with the FA Cup semi-finals scheduled for the weekend of April 25-26.
However, Arteta's men were dumped out of the competition at St Mary's after Shea Charles scored an 85th-minute winner. Arsenal substitute Viktor Gyokeres had levelled following Ross Stewart's first-half opener but the Saints were to have the final say and end the Premier League side's hopes of a Wembley appearance.
Newcastle now have seven games of the Premier League season remaining as they look to push for a European spot again, with CEO David Hopkinson stressing this week how important that will be for the club's future plans.
After a season which has seen Newcastle clock up 51 matches already, Howe can at least now focus on one game per week, which should give the United head coach plenty of time to work with his players on the training pitch, and allow for any minor injury issues to full heal.
As things stand, United have no more midweek fixtures scheduled. The only other game that could have been switched was the home clash against West Ham United on Sunday, May 17 if the Hammers had got to the FA Cup Final, which is slated for that same weekend.
However, the Hammers bowed out of the cup at the quarter-final stage after losing at home to Leeds United on penalties.
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Newcastle United's remaining Premier League fixtures
Sunday, April 12: Crystal Palace (A), 2pm
Saturday, April 18: AFC Bournemouth (H), 3pm
Saturday, April 25: Arsenal (A), 5.30pm
Saturday, May 2: Brighton (H), 3pm
Sunday, May 10: Nottingham Forest (A), 2pm
Sunday, May 17: West Ham (H), TBC
Sunday, May 24: Fulham (A), 4pm