Arsenal and Spurs resume FA Cup rivalry

Premier League leaders Arsenal were handed a mouthwatering tie against north London rivals Tottenham in the third round of the FA Cup.

Arsenal’s most recent piece of silverware came in the 2005 FA Cup but if they are to repeat that success this season they will have to overcome Spurs at the first hurdle after the two sides were paired together in the pick of Sunday’s draw. “There are not enough tough games, they gave us another one,” lamented Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on hearing the news.

The pair are among the most successful clubs in the competition’s history, with Arsenal having lifted the trophy on 10 occasions while Spurs have won it eight times. They have met in three FA Cup semi-finals, with a Gazza-inspired Spurs winning 3-1 in 1991 while Arsenal came out on top two years later and in 2001.

The only side to have won the FA Cup more times are Manchester United, who will also be involved in an all-Premier League tie in the third round after being paired at home to Swansea.

United might have been hoping for a more favourable cup draw following a hugely disappointing start to the defence of their league title which has seen them lose five times in 15 matches under new boss David Moyes.

United have won the FA Cup 11 times, but not since 2004.

FA Cup holders Wigan, now managed by Uwe Rosler, start off against MK Dons while the side they beat in May’s final, Manchester City, face a short trip to Blackburn.

Liverpool, who moved up to second in the Premier League standings with their 4-1 win over West Ham on Saturday, could face Oldham in their third round tie — the team that knocked them out last season.

Oldham beat the Reds 3-2 in the fourth round and they will get another crack at Brendan Rodgers’ men if they can overcome Mansfield in their second round replay.

Liverpool also met Mansfield in the third round last season, with Luis Suarez’s contentious second goal — when the Uruguay international handled the ball before scoring — earning his side a 2-1 win.

There are a number of other all-Premier League ties, with in-form Newcastle hosting Cardiff, Crystal Palace going to West Brom and Norwich hosting Fulham.

“Fulham recently changed their manager and I was sorry to see Martin Jol, who of course I worked under at Tottenham, lose his job,” said Canaries boss Chris Hughton. “We will have already played them at Carrow Road in the Barclays Premier League on Boxing Day. That will give us an opportunity to assess them properly.”

The top three sides in the Championship, meanwhile, are all away to top-flight opposition, with leaders Burnley at Southampton, second-placed QPR going to Everton and Leicester, in third, taking on Stoke.

Steve McClaren’s Derby, who are up to fourth in the second tier after winning their last five matches, were handed a home tie against a Chelsea side looking to win the cup for a fifth time in eight seasons

In ties involving the other top-flight teams, Aston Villa take on Sheffield United, Middlesbrough meet Hull, West Ham face Nottingham Forest while rock-bottom Sunderland host Carlisle.

Of the non-league clubs still involved in the competition, Conference Premier side Macclesfield might fancy their chances against a struggling Sheffield Wednesday.