Cup minnows face home or away Gunners poser

PART-TIMERS Farnborough face a tricky choice between fulfilling an FA Cup dream or accepting a financial windfall after being handed a glamour fourth-round tie against Premiership champions Arsenal.

The Conference outfit's reward for their 3-2 win at Darlington could hardly have been greater after they were pitched into battle with Arsene Wenger's multi-million pound squad in a clash which encapsulates all the traditions of the world's most famous cup competition. However, while their players can picture the moment they walk the same turf as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and David Seaman, club owner and manager Graham Westley has a difficult choice to make.

Westley must decide whether to abandon realistic hope of giving the Gunners a game by switching the tie from the Hampshire club's 4,900-capacity Aimita Stadium to Highbury's hallowed walls, a move which could produce enough money to keep his team afloat for years. Club officials will discuss the matter with local police chiefs, although Hampshire Constabulary admit they cannot force Farnborough to move the tie if they are determined to play at home. "We would advise them if we thought it was not appropriate (to play the game at home) but we can't force them to move it," said the police in a statement. "Ultimately, it's a matter for the club if they choose to move the venue or not." Broadcasters BBC and BSkyB are almost certain to be interested in screening the tie, giving Westley another consideration to weigh up. However, first he must bring his players back down to earth for Saturday's FA Trophy trip to Eastbourne Borough. "My job has been made easier by what's happened today," said Westley. "We won't reach the promotion play-offs without good performances and they will all be playing for shirts between then and now.