Here is the latest news from around the Premier League on Saturday, March 19.
Arsenal continue Champions League charge
After a nervy start to the season, Arsenal have got themselves into a position where they are favourites to take the final Champions League qualification position. They put a four-point cushion between themselves and fifth-placed Manchester United with a narrow 1-0 win against Aston Villa in today’s only Premier League game.
Bukayo Saka’s goal made it five away wins in a row for Mikel Arteta’s side, a run Newcastle supporters will be hoping to see come to an abrupt end in the next few weeks. The Gunners still face a trip to St James’ Park before the end of the season.
It will be the Magpies’ final home game of the campaign, currently scheduled for May 15, and the hosts will certainly be hoping to spoil their opponents’ top-four party.
Read more: Joelinton hailed for 'brilliant' Newcastle United transformation
Chelsea ease past Middlesbrough into FA Cup semi-final
The skeleton fixture list in the Premier League this weekend is because each of the FA Cup quarter-final ties are taking place. Chelsea ensured they would be the first team into the last four of the competition as they comfortably saw off Middlesbrough at the Riverside, winning 2-0.
The other three quarter-finals all take place tomorrow afternoon. In the first of those, Crystal Palace host Everton in a 12:30 kick-off before Manchester City travel to face Southampton at 3pm.
The round is finished off with a 6pm kick-off at the City Ground where Championship Nottingham Forest are hoping to knock out a third Premier League opponent in a row as Liverpool are the visitors to the East Midlands.
Aaron Ramsdale set to miss England fixtures with hip injury
One of the real exciting aspects of Arsenal’s impressive previously-mentioned campaign has been the form of Aaron Ramsdale in goal. He was beginning to be mentioned as England’s number one with Jordan Pickford’s Everton struggling towards the bottom of the table.
However, Ramsdale will not be involved with the Three Lions in the upcoming international break as he faces a few weeks on the sidelines with a hip injury. He missed his side’s win at Aston Villa and it isn’t currently clear whether or not he will be fit for the first match after the break.
The issue doesn’t, however, seem to be serious enough to put him in any doubt of being unavailable for the visit to Tyneside in the penultimate game of the season.
