Chelsea's chance to avenge final defeat

Chelsea were given the perfect opportunity to avenge their defeat by Arsenal in last season's FA Cup final when the sixth-round draw was made yesterday, although they will have to do it the hard way.

Much to the relief of the remaining seven sides in the competition, Claudio Ranieri's side were drawn against the Double winners at Highbury. The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, yesterday suggested he would continue his policy of squad rotation in the competition, but history is not on Chelsea's side. The Blues have not beaten Arsenal in the FA Cup since a third-round replay at White Hart Lane in 1947.

Southampton will face Wolves at St Mary's in a match that will see the return of the former Saints manager Dave Jones, now in charge at Molineux. Jones left Southampton in January 2000 when he was involved in a court case in which he was subsequently exonerated. "I still talk to the chairman regularly and am looking forward to going back there for the first time since I left," he said.

Leeds, who were fortunate to overcome Crystal Palace in the fifth round after a controversial disallowed 'goal' for the Eagles, can gain revenge for their Worthington Cup defeat earlier this season when they take on First Division Sheffield United in an all-Yorkshire affair at Bramall Lane. The chances of a First Division club making it to the last four were boosted when Watford were drawn at home to the winners of Burnley's replay against Fulham.

QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Watford v Fulham or Burnley
Southampton v Wolverhampton
Arsenal v Chelsea
Sheffield United v Leeds United

Ties to be played the weekend of 8-9 March