The FA Cup third round draw has set the stage for an electrifying encounter between two of England’s most storied clubs. Holders Manchester United, who triumphed over Nottingham Forest in last season’s final, will make the journey to north London to take on Arsenal, the competition’s most successful team with 14 titles to their name.
Premier League Giants Collide
The tie, scheduled to take place between January 9-13, promises to be a captivating affair as both sides boast a rich history in the world’s oldest football tournament. Arsenal’s last FA Cup triumph came in 2020, while Manchester United lifted the trophy for a 12th time in June.
Elsewhere, reigning Premier League champions Manchester City have been handed a seemingly more straightforward assignment against Salford City. The League Two outfit, famously part-owned by former Manchester United stars Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, will make the short trip to the Etihad Stadium hoping to cause a monumental upset.
Liverpool and Chelsea Handed Home Ties
Current Premier League leaders Liverpool will begin their quest for a first FA Cup title since 2006 at Anfield against Accrington Stanley. The Reds, who have lifted the trophy seven times, will be overwhelming favorites against the League One side.
Chelsea, eight-time winners and runners-up in 2020 and 2021, have been drawn at home to Morecambe. The League Two outfit will make the long journey from Lancashire to Stamford Bridge hoping to pull off a shock result against Graham Potter’s star-studded side.
Spurs Face Non-League Test
In one of the more intriguing ties of the round, eight-time winners Tottenham Hotspur will travel to face non-league Tamworth. The Staffordshire-based club, currently plying their trade in the seventh tier of English football, will be dreaming of a historic giant-killing at The Lamb Ground.
We’re delighted with the draw. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the players to test themselves against one of the best teams in the country. We’ll give it our all and hope to make the town proud.
– Tamworth manager Gary Smith
The Magic of the FA Cup
The FA Cup third round has a rich history of producing memorable moments and shocking upsets. In recent years, the likes of Bradford City, Oldham Athletic, and Newport County have all claimed famous victories over Premier League opposition.
With the potential for more giant-killings and the promise of mouthwatering clashes between some of the country’s biggest clubs, the FA Cup third round is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle. As the anticipation builds, fans across the country will be marking their calendars and dreaming of Wembley glory.
- The FA Cup third round will take place between January 9-13, 2025
- Manchester United are the defending champions, having beaten Nottingham Forest in last season’s final
- Arsenal have won the FA Cup a record 14 times, most recently in 2020
- Non-league Tamworth will be hoping to cause a major upset against eight-time winners Tottenham Hotspur
As the football world awaits the commencement of the FA Cup third round, the stage is set for drama, excitement, and the possibility of dreams being made or shattered. Will Manchester United’s title defense gather momentum with a victory over old foes Arsenal, or will the Gunners’ home advantage prove decisive? Can Salford City or Tamworth write their names into FA Cup folklore with a stunning giant-killing? The answers to these questions and more will be revealed come January, as the magic of the FA Cup once again casts its spell over the nation.
