5 reasons why Arsenal have a good shot at one of the cups

#1 There are plenty of all-Premier League FA Cup ties

Multiple Premier League sides - including one of Liverpool or Everton - will be out of the FA Cup early

When it comes to the FA Cup, Premier League sides have held a monopoly over the competition since the league’s inauguration back in 1992/93. In fact, since then no team from outside of the Premier League has ever won England’s biggest cup competition and only two non-Premier League teams – Millwall in 2003/04 and Cardiff City in 2007/08 – have even reached the final.

And with the gulf between the Premier League and Championship as big as it’s ever been, it’s a safe bet that a Premier League side will lift the cup this season too.

That’s why it’s a big plus for Arsenal’s cup hopes that there are multiple all-Premier League ties in the third round, which takes place next weekend. Arsenal have been drawn away at Championship side Nottingham Forest, but other Premier League sides weren’t so lucky.

Burnley face Manchester City, Brighton and Hove Albion face Crystal Palace, and in the biggest tie of them all, Merseyside’s two giants face off when Liverpool and Everton clash. That guarantees at least three Premier League sides are gone after the third round is over, and the likelihood of at least one upset is also there.

Could Arsenal fall foul? It’s doubtful as their squad is simply too strong when compared to Forest’s. But bottom-of-the-table Swansea might be in deep trouble as they face current Championship league leaders Wolves, and upset wins for Bristol City against Watford and Fulham against Southampton wouldn’t be too huge of a shock either.

And for a side like Arsenal who could be considered a favourite to win the famed trophy, the more Premier League sides that are eliminated early from the competition, the better.