Arsenal.com

One week down, five days to go and then the boys will be back.

Bukayo Saka won the head to head bragging rights over Jorginho a couple of nights ago as England beat Italy, a game in which Kane became the highest scoring penalty taker in history, or something like that. I wonder if he’ll end up being the highest goal scorer for England who has never experienced winning a piece of silverware. Amusing if so.

Thomas Partey played the entire game for Ghana in their ACON 1-0 victory over Angola, Ethan Nwaneri scored twice for England at under 17 level as they beat Denmark 3-1 in a Euros qualifying match whilst Reuell Walters and Amario Cozier-Duberry help the under 19’s defeat Hungary.

Last night:

Leandro Trossard played an hour for Belgium as his team defeated Sweden 3-0 and Jakub Kiwior was part of a Poland side thrashed 3-1 by the Czech Republic. Fabio Vieira was due to play for the Portugal under 21’s but it seems that fixture didn’t go ahead.

Tonight’s Euros qualifiers:

Scotland (Tierney) v Cyprus (Euros)
Belarus v Switzerland (Xhaka)
Spain v Norway (Odegaard)

Other fixtures:

Grenada v USA (Turner)
England U21s (Smith Rowe) v France U21

England play again tomorrow, Ghana play on Monday and the rest, Norway, Scotland, Belgium and Switzerland, play on Tuesday. I’m not one to wish my life away but roll on Wednesday as then we’ll know what condition our players are in before we play Leeds Utd next weekend.

Our next three fixtures are each a week apart, Leeds at home, Liverpool away and then West Ham away. Then it’s three in nine days, two at home against Southampton and Chelsea with Man City at The Etihad sandwiched in between. Six fixtures in total for April, Utd have nine, City have eight. Newcastle Utd have seven and Totts like us, have six.

Leeds, Southampton, Wolves, Nottingham Forest and West Ham – five clubs we have to play before the end of the season are fighting to avoid relegation. It’s close at the bottom of the table that’s for sure as just four points divide bottom spot Southampton and Crystal Palace in 12th place.

Liverpool, Newcastle Utd and Brighton have top 4/6 place to battle for. West Ham, Chelsea and Manchester City are still involved in European football and the longer that remains the better it is I think although I believe if Chelsea and Man City will meet in the semi-finals should they both progress that far.

Basically, every club we have to play has something big to play for, whether that be Premier League survival, a European Cup or a place in Europe next season. For Mikel Arteta and his players, it’s simple. Win as many points as the 30 remaining and see where we end up.

Catch up in the comments.