Arsenal's FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw: Dream Matchups vs. Nightmare Scenarios for 2025-26

Mikel Arteta doesn't appear to be a relaxed character. So when he openly confessed that his squad dedicated just 10 minutes to practicing the new three-at-the-back system used against Mansfield Town in Saturday's FA Cup fifth round match, one might reasonably assume that Arsenal's boss took their League One opponents lightly.

Nigel Clough's determined side nearly made Arteta pay for that approach. It required the second-half substitution of Eberechi Eze—a $90 million (£67.5 million) summer signing who makes double the salary of Mansfield's entire roster—to secure a narrow 2–1 victory.

Arteta might need to approach Arsenal's quarterfinal with greater respect if Monday's FA Cup draw doesn't deliver favorable matchups.

Arsenal's Best Possible FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw

Arsenal's Best Possible FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw

From a pure divisional perspective, League One bottom-dwellers Port Vale stand out dramatically. There's a 67-position gap between the Premier League table-toppers and the team anchored at the bottom of England's third division. The sole other non-Premier League team remaining in the quarterfinal draw is Championship outfit Southampton, who have a strong chance of earning promotion to the top flight this campaign.

Arsenal comfortably dispatched third-tier Wigan Athletic at the Emirates in the fourth round, but faced difficulties during portions of their away matches against Portsmouth and Mansfield Town when visiting lower-league opposition. Another road trip in the quarterfinals might present similar challenges.

A fixture against Leeds United could offer a peaceful passage. This Premier League campaign has been notably lacking in heavy defeats, yet Arsenal has delivered two of the season's most emphatic victories; a 5–0 demolition of Leeds at home followed by a commanding 4–0 success against the same team at their ground.

Arsenal's Worst Possible FA Cup Draw

Arsenal's Worst Possible FA Cup Draw

Arsenal represents one of four current top-six teams still competing in the FA Cup. The Gunners' direct Premier League competitors Manchester City continue pursuing four trophies this season, and a meeting with Pep Guardiola's squad would create a fascinating spring fixture sequence.

City and Arsenal are already set to face each other in the Carabao Cup final on March 22. Any FA Cup quarterfinal would occur during the April 4 weekend before the teams meet again at the Etihad in a crucial Premier League encounter on April 18.

The Gunners have already navigated a quick succession of matches against Chelsea, securing three victories under vastly different conditions.

Arsenal's Record vs. Potential FA Cup Opponents (Last Five Games)

Arsenal's Record vs. Potential FA Cup Opponents (Last Five Games)

Arsenal held the advantage in the Carabao Cup semifinal first leg but still managed only a tight 3–2 victory. The second leg at the Emirates was essentially decided due to Liam Rosenior's intentionally cautious approach before dead-ball situations dominated the Premier League encounter on the same pitch in early March.

Liverpool's Arne Slot became the vocal critic of that particular London derby's controversy. Should the Reds face Arsenal in the draw, it will be fascinating to observe whether they employ anything as direct as a set-piece strike in their ongoing pursuit of footballing perfection.

When Is the 2025–26 FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw?

When Is the 2025–26 FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw?

The draw occurs on Monday evening, just before the final fifth round match between West Ham United and Brentford begins at the London Stadium.

The TNT Sports partnership of Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist will handle presenting responsibilities once more while former goalkeeper Joe Hart will perform the ball-drawing duties. The ceremony is scheduled to commence at 7:05 p.m. GMT (2:05 p.m. ET, 11:05 a.m.).