The FA Cup Third Round Proper threw up a number of intriguing ties following Monday evening's draw, with a repeat of last season's Final amongst the fixtures.
With the draw being made at 'The Deep' aquarium in Hull, there were gasps around the room when Steve Bruce's Hull City side were paired with Arsenal in the first tie pulled out of the hat by local grassroots volunteer Paul Adamson and former England captain Alan Shearer.
The FA Cup
Third Round Proper draw
7pm, Monday 8 December 2014
The Deep, Hull
Live on TheFA.com and BBC2
It's a repeat of when the two clubs met at Wembley Stadium last May, with Arsene Wenger's Gunners running out as 3-2 winners in a thrilling Final.
Hull boss Steve Bruce said afterwards: It's an amazing draw, so let's hope it's as good a game as last season's Final.
“I was convinced we were at home – we drew against them a few weeks ago in the league and now it's the FA Cup so let's see if we progress.
“A good Cup run did well for us last season and hopefully it can do the same again”
That was followed up with some more eye-catching ties, as Conference Premier Dover Athletic were paired at home with Premier League outfit Crystal Palace shorty after.
Dover midfielder Chris Kinnear Jnr, who had asked for Manchester United, commented: “We wanted a Premier League Club and we've got one, so we will give it our best shot.”
Conference club Gateshead will also take on Premier League opposition, in the shape of a trip to face West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.
For fellow north-east club Blyth Spartans, their reward for a shock 2-1 win over Hartlepool United is a home tie against Championship side Birmingham City.
Spartans manager Tom Wade said: “We are just delighted to be at home, which is what our amazing supporters deserve.”
Southport will also take on Championship opponents, with Gary Brabin's team paired with high-flying Derby County at the iPro Stadium.
Brabin, Southport's manager, said: “They are a good side and Steve McClaren has got them playing very well. If we few show the same attitude as we have so far in the Cup we will give them a good game.”
And next week's Second Round replay between Yeovil Town and Accrington Stanley will take on extra significance for those clubs, with the prize being a home tie against Manchester United in the next round for the winners.
The Third Round Proper draw
1 Arsenal v Hull City
2 Southampton v Ipswich Town
3 Stoke City v Wrexham
4 Charlton Athletic v Blackburn Rovers
5 Dover Athletic v Crystal Palace
6 AFC Wimbledon v Liverpool
7 Manchester City v Sheffield Wednesday
8 Aldershot/Rochdale v Nottingham Forest
9 West Bromwich Albion v Gateshead
10 Blyth Spartans v Birmingham City
11 Aston Villa v Blackpool
12 Rotherham United v AFC Bournemouth
13 Huddersfield Town v Reading
14 Oxford United/Tranmere Rovers v Swansea City
15 Cardiff City v Colchester United
16 Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic
17 Sunderland v Leeds United
18 Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur
19 Millwall v Bradford City
20 Derby County v Southport
21 Brentford v Brighton & Hove Albion
22 Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers
23 Leicester City v Newcastle United
24 Scunthorpe United/Worcester City v Chesterfield
25 Everton v West Ham United
26 Cambridge United/Mansfield Town v Bury/Luton Town
27 Chelsea v Watford
28 Barnsley/Chester FC v Middlesbrough
29 Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield United
30 Accrington Stanley/Yeovil Town v Manchester United
31 Preston North End v Norwich City
32 Doncaster Rovers v Bristol City
