Football / FA Cup: London's derby day

ARSENAL and Tottenham Hotpsur were drawn to play each other in yesterday's draw for the FA Cup semi-finals. It will be the second time in two years that the clubs have met at this stage of the competition.

In 1991 Tottenham beat Arsenal 3-1 and went on to win the trophy for a record eighth time, beating Nottingham Forest in the final. Despite that, Arsenal were cited as 2-1 favourites by Ladbroke's after the north London teams were pulled out of the hat together by the Football Association chairman, Bert Millichip, and the chief executive, Graham Kelly.

Arsenal's manager, George Graham, commenting on the draw said: 'I hoped they (Spurs) would beat Manchester City. It's good for London - I just hope we don't lose to them again.'

Tottenham's first-team coach Doug Livermore said: 'We're happy to be in the semis and so we are not particularly upset that it's Arsenal. No matter who you play in a semi-final, it's going to be tough. We certainly can't refer back to 1991. That's been and gone.'

The other semi-final could be an all-Sheffield affair. Sheffield Wednesday or Derby, who play today, will meet the winners of the Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield United replay. The draw also throws up the possibility of an Arsenal-Sheffield Wednesday Wembley double with both teams still in the Coca-Cola Cup.

FA CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW

Derby County or Sheffield Wednesday v Blackburn Rovers or Sheffield United

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotpsur

Ties to be played Sunday 4 April