With the FA Cup quarter-final draw now firmly on the horizon, Football London simulated the possible teams each side left in could be pitted against
13:09, 09 Mar 2026Updated 13:12, 09 Mar 2026
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, interacts with Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on March 31, 2024 in Manchester, England
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Manchester City and Arsenal may have even more meetings against each other on the horizon(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
The FA Cup quarter-final draw is not long away and every team will be eager to find out who they have next. It was a fascinating weekend of results in the famous old competition.
It was awkward and at times nerve-wracking, but Arsenal only just scraped their way past League One minnows Mansfield Town 2-1 thanks to impressive goals from Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze. While Mikel Arteta's side were pushed all the way by Mansfield, Liam Rosenior and Chelsea almost became the latest chapter in Wrexham's historic ascent.
They fell behind twice to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side but forced extra-time through Josh Acheampong's equaliser, before Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro both scored, not long after the Championship side went down to ten men. Elsewhere, Manchester City, Southampton, Liverpool and Leeds United overcame Newcastle United, Fulham, Wolves and Norwich City respectively to get through.
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In and amongst the Premier League giants, Port Vale, who are bottom of League One, caused the biggest stir by stunning Sunderland to get into the last eight. Later on this evening, West Ham face Brentford for the final spot in the quarter-finals.
Just before Nuno Espirito Santo's side take on Keith Andrews' men this evening, the FA Cup quarter-final draw will be completed. Ahead of this evening's ceremony, Football London used a knockout stage simulator to see what possible fixtures could occur.
To say the results were fascinating is an understatement. By fate, Arsenal were drawn to face City on the blue side of Manchester. The Gunners are already facing the Cityzens in the League Cup final on March 22nd and face a potential title decider on April 19.
Head Coaches Pep Guardiola of Manchester City with Mikel Arteta of Arsenal during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England
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City and Arsenal could face each other three times in as many weeks(Image: 2023 Robin Jones)
Should Arteta and Guardiola's side be pitted together in the last-eight, they would have to play each other on the weekend of April 4-5, slap bang in the middle of the Wembley showdown and the potentially make or break Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Moreover, Chelsea were drawn to face Southampton at the St Mary's Stadium. On paper, it's a favourable draw, but Tonda Eckert's side's triumph over Fulham at Craven Cottage was their tenth match in a row without a loss.
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They did not play like a side who only won two of their 38 Premier League matches last season. Considering the difficulty Chelsea endured against Wrexham, Rosenior would not be counting his chickens before getting to the South Coast.
Meanwhile, Port Vale were dealt an eye-catching home clash against Liverpool, while West Ham or Brentford would host Leeds for a place at Wembley Stadium in the semi-finals.
Simulated FA Cup quarter-final draw in full
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Southampton vs Chelsea
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Port Vale vs Liverpool
West Ham or Brentford vs Leeds United
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