The Third Round draw for this season's FA Cup did not disappoint. Football's oldest competition welcomes the introduction of the Premier League and Championship clubs at this stage, mixing them with the remaining League One, League Two and non-league sides.
This season's draw threw up a bit of everything. Defending champions Manchester United head to the Emirates to face Arsenal, the FA Cup's most successful side with 14 titles.
On the other side of the coin, National League Tamworth, one of only two non-league sides left in the competition, host Premier League Tottenham after beating local rivals Burton Albion on penalties in the Second Round.
While National League rivals Dagenham & Redbridge didn't quite get a Premier League draw, they still have a bumper away day to look forward to, as they travel to the Den to face Championship high-flyers Millwall.
These are just a few of the highlights of what was an incredible FA Cup draw.
Premier League Giants Clash
It was almost poetic that Manchester United, in a draw held at Old Trafford, were dealt a second trip to the Emirates in the space of five weeks.
Arsenal host United on Wednesday night in the biggest Premier League game of Ruben Amorim's reign so far, and the Gunners will welcome their old rivals once again in January.
Last season's FA Cup campaign was over as soon as it began for Arsenal, as they were beaten 2 - 0 by Liverpool in the Third Round.
But while this was of course disappointing, it did allow Mikel Arteta's side to concentrate their energy elsewhere. In contrast, Liverpool played four FA Cup ties before going out to Manchester United in the quarter-final.
It's because of the cut-throat nature of this (and any knockout) competition that an early blockbuster tie isn't bad at all. Either Arsenal or United will be out, allowing them to concentrate on the Premier League and Europe, while the other will start their FA Cup campaign with a bang.
In recent history, meetings between these sides have very much been limited to the Premier League; when they have met in the FA Cup, Arsenal have largely had the upper hand, although United did win 3 - 1 at the Emirates in the Fourth Round in 2019.
By far the biggest cup meetings between the sides though have come in the final, with Arsenal beating Manchester United in both the 1979 and 2005 finals.
The rivalry between these two famous clubs has changed in recent years, with Arsenal overtaking United and becoming title contenders while the Red Devils have been limited to competing for European places.
No result in this tie would constitute an upset, but United would certainly get more out of a victory at the Emirates than Arsenal would from progressing to the Fourth Round.
That being said, they face a tall order stopping Arsenal's current momentum, as the Gunners have won three in a row, scoring 13 goals in the process.
In terms of all-Premier League ties, the only other clash between two top flight sides sees Aston Villa host West Ham.
Both of these sides are struggling for form in the Premier League and could really benefit from a deep run in the FA Cup, especially after both sides suffered disappointing exits from the Carabao Cup in the early weeks of the season.
Much like the Arsenal-United tie, the home side will be favourites in this one, with Aston Villa largely producing good performances at Villa Park.
West Ham have been wildly inconsistent this season; they beat Manchester United 2 - 1 at the end of October and were then thrashed 3 - 0 by Nottingham Forest in their first game of November.
A bit of FA Cup magic is valuable to the Premier League sides, but it can completely change a non-league club.
Dream Draws for National League Clubs
In the past ten years, Lincoln City, Luton Town and Wrexham have all taken their momentum from deep FA Cup runs as a non-league side and transformed it into promotions.
With replays scrapped from the First Round onwards this year, the ideal situation for a National League club was a home draw against a Premier League team; that's exactly what Tamworth got.
The Lambs gathered their supporters in their clubhouse awaiting the draw. Everyone was whispering who they wanted, some slightly disappointed with Arsenal and Manchester United getting each other.
There was eager anticipation when Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea were all drawn out at home, but Tamworth's number 53 didn't come.
When the number 53 did come out, giving Tamworth a home draw, there were cheers before they even knew their opponent. The chance to play in the Third Round at the Lamb Ground was enough to cheer in itself. It's easy to imagine then just how excited the supporters were to learn they'd be playing Tottenham.
It's almost the perfect blend of a big Premier League team and perhaps not the most impossible tie to win.
Spurs haven't been beyond the Fifth Round since 2018, and have been woefully inconsistent under Ange Postecoglou.
Their last eight results have seen them beat Manchester City twice and thrash Aston Villa, but lose 2 - 1 to Ipswich and squander two leads to Roma in the Europa League.
It goes without saying that the Premier League side are overwhelming favourites for the tie, but that's exactly what makes this a peach of an FA Cup tie. Tamworth have very little chance of scoring a goal let alone making it through, but there is a chance.
Playing in their stadium in front of their supporters will be difficult and intimidating for Spurs, especially if they allow Tamworth into the game.
Dagenham & Redbridge might not have drawn a Premier League side, but a trip to the Den to face Millwall will still be welcome among Daggers fans.
First off, it's not a long trip, with a one hour train journey covering the distance between the Den and Dagenham's Chigwell Construction Stadium. The non-league side get all the joys of a big FA Cup away day without having to so much as look at a service station.
Much like Tamworth's situation against Tottenham, Dagenham are overwhelming underdogs; they face a side three divisions above them who are on a run in the Championship. But this might actually be a blessing in disguise.
Millwall, if they continue their push towards the play-offs, would likely sacrifice a potential cup run for the chance to chase promotion to the Premier League. The Lions have gone out in the Third Round in each of the last three seasons, albeit to Championship and Premier League clubs.
In Millwall's credit however, they haven't been knocked out of the FA Cup by a non-league side since 1997, when National League Woking beat them 1 - 0 in a First Round replay.
The odds are certainly stacked against the non-league sides, but that's not to say progression would be impossible. Just look at what Maidstone United did last season, winning away to Championship (and now Premier League) Ipswich Town.
It's not only the National League sides who are chasing shocks either.
Potential Upsets Everywhere
Plenty of League One and League Two sides have been handed draws against Premier League opposition, many of them away from home.
Even for a League Two side, a trip to a big Premier League ground is still a highlight of the season. The biggest of these draws was for Bromley, who are competing in the EFL for the first time.
The Ravens, who have made the most of starting in the First Round this season, were rewarded with a long journey to Newcastle United. They will be seeing a service station.
Elsewhere Accrington Stanley's reward for beating Swindon on penalties will be a trip to Anfield to face Premier League leaders Liverpool and the EFL's bottom club Morecambe go to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
League One sides Bristol Rovers and Stockport County go to Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace respectively, while League Two Harrogate will visit Championship promotion chasers Leeds United.
Perhaps the most intriguing Premier League vs EFL tie though is the one between Manchester City and Salford City.
The "Class of 92" owners of Salford include Manchester United legends David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Phil Neville, all players familiar with playing (and beating) Manchester City.
In a more heartwarming draw, Everton will play League One Peterborough United at Goodison Park. On the surface, it seems fairly standard for a Third Round draw, but it could be particularly special for one player on each side.
Ashley Young's 18-year-old son, Tyler, plays for Peterborough United, and assuming both players remain with their current clubs in the first two weeks of the January transfer window, the pair will likely face off against each other. Surely Sean Dyche and Darren Ferguson will allow it to happen?
EFL Clubs Chasing a Cup Run
The early stages of the FA Cup are very much about the non-league sides, but through the Third and Fourth Rounds most of the clubs below the EFL will go out and focus will turn to the EFL clubs.
While those facing the giants of the Premier League face a huge task to remain in the competition, there are those who will fancy their chances of a long run in the competition.
Both Norwich and Luton, facing Premier League opposition in Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively, will be targeting a cup run.
Despite targeting promotion pre-season, neither Norwich nor Luton have lived up to expectations, but an upset against an in-form Premier League team could certainly kick start a more exciting second half of their seasons.
Historically, sides performing well above expectation in the Premier League don't focus on the cup competitions as they'd rather maximise a potentially high finishing position in the league; it's completely realistic for both Brighton and Forest to target European football for next season.
While this may make the task facing Norwich and Luton daunting, it may well work to their advantage if their Premier League opponents rotate heavily.
West Bromwich Albion face the opposite problem against Bournemouth. The Cherries started too slowly to have a chance of making Europe, but their good form will embolden them to target a cup run.
Victories over Arsenal and Manchester City have put a spring in their step, especially at the Vitality Stadium.
Bristol City will likely face a similar issue against Wolves, who took seven points in November; they had two at the end of October.
The rest of the ties either feature two EFL clubs or mid-to-low table Premier League sides taking on EFL opposition. These are the most unpredictable of ties, especially in the Third Round when it's anyone's guess how strong a team either manager will field.
Wycombe Wanderers will be looking to carry their impressive form in League One over to the FA Cup; after Saturday's win at Wealdstone in the Second Round, the Chairboys have won 11 straight games in all competitions.
Middlesbrough are on good form in the Championship despite losing 1 - 0 to FA Cup opponents Blackburn last week. Boro are progressing well under Michael Carrick and find themselves in the play-off places 18 games into the season.
Elsewhere Oxford United, who are typically an excellent cup team, visit League One Exeter City and will be looking to progress in search of a Premier League tie.
The beauty of the FA Cup though is that it is impossible to know where the tie of the round will be. Any game can turn into an eight-goal thriller, such is the tantalising prospect of win or go home.
All 32 Third Round ties will take place on the weekend of the 11th and 12th of January with TV selection to be decided before the end of 2024.
Full Third Round Draw
Southampton vs Swansea City
Arsenal vs Manchester United
Exeter City vs Oxford United
Leyton Orient vs Derby County
Reading vs Burnley
Aston Villa vs West Ham United
Norwich City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Manchester City vs Salford City
Millwall vs Dagenham & Redbrdige
Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley
Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Preston North End vs Charlton Athletic
Chelsea vs Morecambe
Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Rovers
Bournemouth vs West Bromwich Albion
Mansfield Town vs Wigan Athletic
Tamworth vs Tottenham Hotspur
Hull City vs Doncaster Rovers
Sunderland vs Stoke City
Leicester City vs Queens Park Rangers
Brentford vs Plymouth Argyle
Coventry City vs Sheffield Wednesday
Newcastle United vs Bromley
Everton vs Peterborough United
Wycombe Wanderers vs Portsmouth
Birmingham City vs Lincoln City
Leeds United vs Harrogate Town
Nottingham Forest vs Luton Town
Sheffield United vs Cardiff City
Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers
Fulham vs Watford
Crystal Palace vs Stockport County
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