It's the first time the teams have played since the 3rd round of the League Cup in 96/97 (one of Wenger's first games in charge), when we scraped a draw in Stoke thanks to Wright's late equaliser (including the accidental use of a hand which must have left the home fans feeling a bit hard done by) but followed it up with a 5-2 win in the replay, with goals from Bergkamp Merson, Platt, and Wright (2). Bergkamp and Vieira are the only Arsenal survivors from that tie.

Young centre-back John Halls joined Stoke from Arsenal a year ago, and has established himself as a key member of the team. Man Utd and Chelsea also have home games, against Exeter and Scunthorpe respectively. There are no all-Premiership ties. See The FA site for full draw.