FA Cup last 16: contrasting draws for Arsenal and City

The FA Cup fifth-round draw has served up dramatically different assignments for the competition’s two remaining heavyweights, with Premier League leaders Arsenal handed a visit to League One surprise package Mansfield Town while Manchester City must see off fellow top-flight outfit Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.

Mansfield’s inclusion in Monday’s draw comes courtesy of one of the tournament’s standout upsets: a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Burnley that dumped Vincent Kompany’s side out in the fourth round. The Stags, currently mid-table in the third tier, will now welcome Mikel Arteta’s side to Field Mill knowing they have already toppled top-tier opposition this month. Arsenal, fresh from a routine 4-0 dismissal of Wigan Athletic at Emirates Stadium, will regard the tie as an inviting opportunity to keep alive their hopes of a historic quadruple.

Across Manchester, the picture is markedly less comfortable. Pep Guardiola’s City, second in the Premier League, were pitted against Newcastle United, setting up a fifth meeting between the clubs this campaign. City edged the Magpies out of the EFL Cup only two weeks ago and will need to repeat the feat to maintain their own silverware pursuit on multiple fronts.

The draw also threw up several other eye-catching fixtures. Chelsea must travel to the Racecourse Ground to face Wrexham, the Championship club co-owned by Hollywood stars who already accounted for Nottingham Forest earlier in the competition. Liverpool, meanwhile, will host bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers, while giant-killing Macclesfield—who stunned holders Crystal Palace in round three—were paired with Brentford. The victors of that tie will return in the last 16 against West Ham United.

With the bracket now set, the stage is clear for either a continuation of cup romance or the reassertion of elite dominance when the fifth-round ties take place in late February.