The FA Cup quarter-final draw threw up some blockbuster ties involving Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea andLiverpool.
All four Premier League giants progressed to the last eight of the competition in relatively routine fashion over the weekend.
Liverpool gained instant revenge on Wolves winning 3-1 at Molineux, just three after a damaging 2-1 defeat in the league, while Arsenal were made to sweat by League one Mansfield and has Eberechi Eze to thank for their eventual narrow victory.
Chelsea were pushed all the way by Wrexham before prevailing in extra time and City were forced to come from behind to beat Newcastle at St James’ Park.
The reward for Pep Guaridola’s quadruple chasers is a home ride against Liverpool who are likely to be ruing the luck given their record against City this season, allied to the fortuitous draws handed to Arsenal and Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta’s only major trophy as boss of the north London club came six years ago and he will fancy his chances of progressing even further this season in a competition the Gunners have won a record 14 times.
Championship opposition awaits in the shape of Southampton who defeated top flight opposition in the shape of Fulham on Sunday.
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FA Cup Quarter-Finals
Southampton vs Arsenal
Chelsea vs Port Vale
Manchester City vs Liverpool
West Ham or Brentford vs Leeds United
The ties will be played across the weekend of 4-5 April.
Still, Arsenal could make the semi-finals without having to play a top flight club and Glenn Hoddle insists it cannot be ignored how fortunate the current Premier League leaders have been both at home and in Europe.
He told TNT Sport: ‘There’s an old saying that you do need the luck of the draw. That’s where luck does come into it.
‘You make your own luck on the pitch but they’ve had an easier draw in most of the rounds and in Europe obviously as well.
‘The pathway to that final is easier but nothing is easy at that level. You would prefer to have that rather than face City or Liverpool.
‘If they had to play one of those two it would be really tough. Southampton will be a hell of game for them.
‘Southampton are a good footballing side and they are going to have to play well whatever team they put out.
Finally, Port Vale, who caused one of the biggest shocks of the competition so far this term by beating Sunderland, have been granted a money-spinning tie with a trip to Stamford Bridge.
