Premier League leaders Chelsea will face Tottenham and Arsenal will entertain Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup next month.
Antonio Conte’s Blues completed the line-up after edging past holders Manchester United 1-0 on Monday night, and their reward is a clash against the Premier League’s second place side Tottenham, who thumped Millwall 6-0 on Sunday.
Chelsea last won the competition back in 2010, when they narrowly beat Portsmouth 1-0 in the final at Wembley, while Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs have to go all the way back to 1991 for the last time they lifted the trophy, when they needed extra time to beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the old Wembley.
The other semi-final sees Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, with the Gunners hoping to reach a 20th final in the competition with victory over the Citizens.
Wenger’s men have beaten two non-league sides Sutton United and Lincoln City in the last two rounds, and with little else to play for this term, the FA Cup represents the only opportunity for the North London side to win some silverware this season.
However, Guardiola’s City have already got past three Premier League sides to reach the last four, with West Ham, Crystal Palace, and most recently Middlesbrough coming unstuck against the Citizens, and having already beaten the Gunners in the league this term, City will be confident of reaching an 11th FA Cup final.
In what should be an exciting and intriguing semi-final weekend next month, several supporters took to social media to express their views on the draw, and there was a mixed response from Chelsea fans after being drawn against Tottenham…
#Spurs are the worst draw we could get. Dudes have something going against #CFC Fortunately for us, they don't know how to play at Wembley
— Shoggy Dee (@Shoggy_Dee) March 13, 2017
Nightmare draw by the way, need Kane out. Second best team in the league Spurs. #CFC #EmiratesFACup
— #CFC (@FutbolSte) March 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/1Mr305/status/841406989225885696
https://twitter.com/abzcfc98/status/841406728503738368
While several Spurs supporters are also apprehensive at the thought of meeting Chelsea, despite beating them 2-0 at White Hart Lane earlier this season…
Fantastic achievement to reach the Semi Final but worst possible draw. No tie was easy but I'd have taken any of the other two #Spurs
— Mark Rowan (@MRowan1084) March 13, 2017
There wasn’t going to be a ‘good’ draw for the SF. Sooner or later you have to beat a good side. #THFC
— Jed Lomax (@JedLomax) March 13, 2017
Toughest draw in the Semis. We've beaten them already this season but without Kane and our Wembley hoodoo, I'm not so sure. #spurs #FACup
— Martin Rayfield (@MartinRayfield) March 13, 2017
Arsenal face Manchester City in the other semi-final, a contest that has excited many Gunners fans…
Happy with the draw. Was gonna be tough whoever it was but city it is and I'm confident we can make the final.. #AFC #COYG
— Justin (@AfcJust89) March 13, 2017
Best possible draw out of the lot. City is beatable. Lets do out best to get in the #FACup final #afc #coyg
— Ashay V (@Dream_Gooner) March 13, 2017
Another good draw! Great record at Wembley and Man City are nothing special. Chance. #AFC
— Jordan William Hughes (@jordy1393) March 13, 2017
While several Man City supporters are also looking forward to a clash against Wenger’s men next month…
https://twitter.com/DylanYarborough/status/841409280251158528
Best possible draw in the FA Cup for City, already looking forward to the Final #MCFC
— Cam (@CamMurless) March 13, 2017
Happy with draw. Peps biggest challenge is keeping the squad fresh over next 4-6 weeks with so many big games one after another #mcfc
— Pete Jones (@MCFCJonesy) March 13, 2017
Actually chuft with the draw tbh, ultimately feel we're the superior side, but anything can happen in the cup, that's the beauty of it #MCFC
— Cole (@coleeeee41) March 13, 2017