FA Cup Fifth Round Draw: Manchester United to face Arsenal as Liverpool and Chelsea get off easy

There is going to be only one all-Premiership tie in the fifth round of the FA Cup, but they certainly pulled out a good one.
Manchester United and Arsenal are battling it out for the Premier League crown, and in a few weeks, one is going to knock the other out of the FA Cup, as the Big Two butt heads at Old Trafford in the tie of the cup so far.
The last time the two sides faced each other in the FA Cup was in the final in the 2004-05 season, and the tie wouldn’t be decided in 90 or 120 minutes, but in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw. It was a tie that United could have and probably should have won, but it was the Gunners who lifted the cup after a 5-4 shootout win.
The last time Arsenal won at Old Trafford was at the same stage of this competition in 2003, when the Gunners triumphed 2-0 on their way to winning the cup.
Whether or not this tie will be another classic, we’ll find out, but when these two tangle, it’s usually a good one.
That certainly was the case with their meeting at the Emirates Stadium in November, when United took the lead twice, only for Arsenal to hit back both times, including a last-minute equalizer by William Gallas to earn a 2-2 draw.
The other 14 sides left in the competition might be pretty happy that they were paired with one another, unless you’re Huddersfield, whose reward for making the fifth round is a tie at Stamford Bridge against cup holders Chelsea.
While the other ties in the competition don’t hold a candle to United-Arsenal, the draw worked out pretty well for the sides outside of the top flight.
Besides United and Chelsea, Liverpool are the only other Premiership side to have a home tie, as they host Barnsley.
As for the other ties, we’re assured of seeing three non-Premiership sides in the quarterfinals, as Bristol Rovers host Southampton, Cardiff go up against Wolves, and Coventry face West Brom.
The other two ties offer up the opportunity for more upsets as well, as Portsmouth has to travel to Preston, who routed Derby 4-1 on Saturday, and Middlesbrough face an away tie against Sheffield United, who knocked Manchester City out on Sunday, in a game that will be remembered more for ‘Balloon-gate’ than the actual result.
What will the round of 16 hold? Well, we’ll have to wait until the 16th and 17th of next month to find out.
The first few rounds have seen many upsets, twists, and turns, so maybe it’s time for a little calm. But hey, that would be boring, so hopefully more excitement is in store.
Full fifth-round draw below.
FA Cup Fifth Round Draw (Ties to be played on 16 and 17 February)
Bristol Rovers v. Southampton
Cardiff v. Wolves
Sheffield United v. Middlesbrough
Liverpool v. Barnsley
Manchester United v. Arsenal
Preston v. Portsmouth
Coventry v. West Brom
Chelsea v. Huddersfield
- Ecuador Top Group A
- Carling Cup 3rd Round Draw (2007/2008)
- From Intertoto to the Uefa Cup, dreams in hand
- FA Cup Draw - 3rd Round - 2006-2007
- Rubbish Refereeing Ruins The Game
Discussion - 6 Responses
Add Your Comment
Comments are moderated (our comments policy).











Another Classic in making.Boy we dont have Keanos and Veiras but we do have Fab and Ronny on the menu.Its the time when both these clubs are at their peak point and this is such kind of test which will prove whose the daddy.It is sort of a psychological match.They(Gunners) are almost like at every place where we(United) are.Both of us are UFEA,EPL and FA.Both Out of Carling(lets leave somethin’ for Chelsea Dolls-thats a deliberate reason) its like head to head fight.
Guys believe me the one who makes out of this one will end up being the winner of EPL.
Its like summer of 99.
my comment is that Man U will beat the so called Arsenal
Come on guys(Man Utd fans), no worries. Scholes will have match fitness, hopefully Roo will have come into some form, Tevez and Ronaldo always excellent, our defensive pairing. The fact that they may have injured players from Afcon, our bench is also stronger. This is EASY. Aslong as sir Alex picks the right team i.e. Vds,evra,rio,nemanja,brown, giggs,scholes,hargreaves,ronaldo,Tevez,rooney. Subs kuzscak,neville,carrick ,anderson,nani.i can see us beating them by two or three
I would like SAF to pick Anderson for this match. Just to see him and Fabregas battle it out with each other.
this year fa cup is very interesting 4 lfc fans. i think the manu-gunners match is going 2 be a match of 2 very different halves. 1st half boring goalless until last minute of added time, 2nd explosion of defences. predict whose going 2 win? well, toss a coin. if head manu, tail arsenal.
i have the feeling its gonna be a pompey vs top 4 opposition in the final( hope its lfc.. n yes, liverpool is in the top u cheeky fool)
this season has been amazing right from the start….especially for us gunners coz we were off the title race for such a long time….hope chelsea also catch up with the top two somehow coz that ll elevate the adrenaline levels to the max…n hope arsenal make the treble….the mind games will start soon n it ll be like the good all times again