With only six games left to play before this year's Premier League comes to a close, Newcastle's race for second place may have been handed a huge boost.
Liverpool's 13 point safety-net at the top of the table seemingly leaves the title race all wrapped up, but with just four points separating Newcastle United and Arsenal the fight for the second place spot is only just beginning.
With both sides having some tough matches in the run up to the final day, the pressure is mounting on the tie between the two on the penultimate week.
The 'six pointer' could have a huge effect on the final result, but Newcastle fans could be confident they can take the win and make up the gap after receiving an unlikely boost.
Arsenal's convincing win over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final has been the highlight of many Gunners' fans' season, but the reality of the win may have a detrimental impact on their league campaign.
Progressing through to the semi-finals means even more games to fit into an already busy schedule. Two incredibly tough matches against PSG have already been put on the calendar on April 29 and an away leg in Paris on May 7 just 11 days before the Newcastle game and four days before a tough tie against Liverpool.
Arteta may be forced to rest several players in the games before and after which could easily lead to some points beginning to slip and handing Eddie Howe a boost in the final few weeks.
In another boost for Newcastle, if Arsenal were to progress to the final in Munich, they would line-up against Inter Milan or Barcelona on May 31.
The club's focus could move almost entirely away from the league and to a European title that has alluded them for so long.
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