FA Cup quarter-final draw pairs Arsenal and Chelsea with tough opponents, blockbuster all-Premier League clash set
The FA Cup quarter-final draw has delivered one heavyweight clash destined to dominate the headlines and offered a potential fairytale for the competition’s last remaining underdog. The standout tie of the round pairs Manchester City and Liverpool in a repeat of the 2022 semi-final, a fixture that carries significant weight for both clubs’ seasons.
The Blockbuster Tie
Manchester City versus Liverpool is the undeniable marquee match of the last eight, scheduled for the Etihad Stadium. This fixture is a rerun of the 2022 FA Cup semi-final, which Liverpool won 3-2 en route to lifting the trophy. The two rivals have already met twice in the Premier League this season, with Manchester City securing a 3-0 home victory in November and a 2-1 win at Anfield in February. City, seven-time FA Cup winners who last triumphed in 2023, will see this as an opportunity to advance in a competition integral to their pursuit of multiple honours. For eight-time winners Liverpool, it represents a chance to replicate their recent cup success against their rivals.
Arsenal’s Favourable Route Continues
Arsenal, still pursuing an unprecedented quadruple this season, were handed an away tie against Championship side Southampton. Mikel Arteta’s side reached the quarter-finals for the first time in six years with a 2-1 fifth-round win at League One’s Mansfield Town, where a goal from Noni Madueke and a rocket from Eberechi Eze secured their passage. Their route to this stage has been described as sympathetic, having faced Portsmouth, Wigan Athletic, and Mansfield without encountering Premier League opposition. History offers an encouraging omen: Arsenal have gone on to win the FA Cup in three of the five previous seasons they have been drawn against Southampton, including the 2003 final which they won 1-0.
Southampton, the only Championship team left, are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their sole FA Cup win in 1976 and are wearing commemorative shirts this season. They earned their place with a dramatic 1-0 upset over Premier League Fulham, courtesy of a stoppage-time Ross Stewart penalty.
Chelsea Survive Hollywood Scare
Chelsea were pushed to the limit by Championship Wrexham and their Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, before prevailing 4-2 after extra-time at the Racecourse Ground. The tie turned on a red card for Wrexham’s George Dobson, upgraded by VAR in second-half injury time, which allowed Chelsea to finish the job with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro. The eight-time winners now host League One’s bottom side, Port Vale, a club they have not faced in a competitive fixture since the 1928/29 season.
Port Vale’s Historic Run
For Port Vale, this represents a historic achievement. The League One strugglers, the lowest-ranked team remaining, are in their first quarter-final since 1954 and only their second ever. Their best FA Cup finish was a semi-final appearance in the 1953-54 season. They reached this stage by sensationally knocking out Premier League Sunderland. A trip to Stamford Bridge is a stark contrast to their highest ever league finish of fifth in the old Second Division in 1931.
West Ham Edge Through to Face Leeds
West Ham United required a penalty shootout to overcome Brentford after a 2-2 draw, marking the third consecutive round they have needed extra time or penalties. The shootout was decided when Brentford’s Dango Ouattara saw a dreadful attempted Panenka easily saved by Alphonse Areola. David Moyes’s side will now host Leeds United in what will be the first FA Cup meeting between the sides since January 1930.
Historically, Leeds have the upper hand in this fixture, with 50 wins to West Ham’s 32 in 112 meetings across all competitions, and 17 wins to West Ham’s six in the Premier League era. The most famous encounter saw West Ham win 8-2 in 1929, with Vic Watson scoring six goals in one half. Leeds, who won the FA Cup in 1972, will be looking to advance past a West Ham side they have beaten in four of their last seven league meetings.
Tournament Context and Key Dates
The quarter-final fixtures are scheduled for the weekend of April 4-5, 2026, with the semi-finals set for April 25 and the final at Wembley on May 16. This season’s competition continues under rules introduced in recent years: replays were scrapped from the first round proper in the 2024/25 season, meaning all ties are settled on the night. Managers can name nine substitutes and make up to five changes across three opportunities, with an extra substitution permitted if a match goes to extra time. A trial rule for the 2025/26 season also limits goalkeepers to holding the ball for a maximum of eight seconds.
