FA Cup draw
Quarter-finals
Arsenal v Everton
Brighton or Hull v Sunderland
Sheffield United v Sheffield Wednesday or Charlton
Manchester City v Wigan
Matches to be played on the weekend of March 8-9.
The game could take place on either Saturday 8 (tea-time KO), Sunday 9 (1:30pm KO) or Monday 10 March (evening KO). Once TV selections are finalised by the broadcasters then a confirmed date and time for the fixture will be announced.
Season card holders have until 5pm on Tuesday 25 February to apply online for tickets, or in person at the Stadium of Light ticket office.
As SAFC’s opponents are yet to be confirmed, supporters are asked to apply for either or both games as required.
A general sale of tickets will commence from 9am on Tuesday 4 March 2014, subject to availability.
PRICES:
Brighton & Hove Albion - adults: £25/£20, over 65 £15: under 16s: £10 and under 10s: £5.
Hull City - adults £20, Over 65s/16-22: £15, under 16s: £5 and under 10s: £1.
Emirates Stadium - ARSENAL
What Is It Like For Away Supporters?
Away fans at the Emirates Stadium are housed in the lower tier of the South East corner. The normal allocation for away fans will be 3,000 tickets, but this can be increased for cup games. Although fans have big padded seats and plenty of leg room, the lower tier of the stadium is quite shallow (unlike the upper tiers which have plenty of height between rows), meaning that the view might not be as good as you would expect from a new stadium.
Entrance to the stadium is by a 'smart ticket', whereby rather than giving your ticket to a turnstile operator, you enter it into a ticket reader to gain entry. This always confuses the away fans, as although more clubs are installing this type of apparatus, it is still in the minority. On my last visit, after being searched on entry, the steward took my ticket and inserted it into the ticket reader for me, which speeded up the process (which made sense as it is not clear on the ticket as to which way it should be inserted).
The concourse inside is not that spacious, but just about adequate. There is quite a choice of food on offer, although some of it is rather pricey. However the crowd of fans that had formed into a scrum around the kiosk put me off even trying to buy anything. It would have been nice if a proper queuing system had been put in place. There are plenty of flat screen televisions on the concourse to keep you entertained, plus there is a Ladbroke betting facility.
I have been to the Emirates a couple of times now. The first was for an international friendly, where I had tickets for the upper tier of the stadium. I was very impressed all round with the stadium and had a great day out. The second visit was as an away supporter seated in the visiting section. On this visit I was less impressed with the Emirates. The whole occasion just seemed as it was one big corporate event rather than a football match. Plus the view was that not that great and afterwards you almost questioned if the stadium did indeed hold 60,000, as the large gaps in the corners below the stadium roof, gave the illusion that it is smaller than what it is. The away fans are also located very close to the home fans, which led to a fair amount of rather unsavoury banter.
On the positive side the stadium is indeed one of quality. It looks and feels that it has not been 'built on the cheap' and is a 'cut above' most other new stadiums built in this country. The atmosphere is okay and the pitch even in January looked immaculate. On a lighter note look out for the rather odd looking mascot called 'Gunnersaurus, which is not as you would expect coloured red and white, but instead a bright green, fluffy looking dinosaur.
On a separate note, then if you like your pies then on Gillespie Road not far from Arsenal Tube Station (going towards the Emirates), is a stall called Piebury Corner which is popular on matchdays. Although it is actually set up in someones front garden, then don't let that put you off as the range of pies are excellent and cost in the region of £3 - £4.50.
Where To Drink?
The traditional pub for away supporters is the Drayton Arms, which is located near to Arsenal tube station and Drayton Park railway station. This Courage pub overlooks the new stadium and is only a few minutes walk away. However as you would expect it can get extremely busy on matchdays, with drinkers spilling outside onto the pavements.
Mark Long recommends the Twelve Pins (formerly the Finsbury Park Tavern) near Finsbury Park Tube Station. ‘Normally a good mix of home and away fans and about a ten minute walk from the ground’. Whilst Guy McIntyre adds; ‘The Blackstock opposite The Twelve Pins, also welcomes away fans, plus it has a big screen showing Sky Sports’. There is also a Wetherspoons pub called the White Lion Of Mortimer, which is a five minute walk away from Finsbury Park Tube Station along Stroud Green Road. Otherwise alcohol is available inside the stadium (Fosters, John Smith’s & Strongbow), costing around £4.30 a pint.
Shillibeers BarShillibeers Bar & Grill is situated only a few minutes walk from Caledonian Road Tube Station (Turn left out of the station, cross over the bridge, take the first left up North Road and you’ll find Shillibeers down on the left) and only a 15-20 minute walk from the Emirates Stadium. Away fan friendly with Sky Sports TV, this modern good sized bar specialises in real ale and craft beers, as well as having a great variety of other drinks too. The bar also offers food including most pub favourites, but being freshly prepared and using locally sourced produce, wherever possible. Take a look at the Shillibeers Bar & Grill website for further information or call us on (020) 32180083. Bar location map.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Leave the M1 at Junction 2 and onto the A1, following the signs for City (Central London). Keep going on the A1 for around six miles, until you see Holloway Road Tube Station on your right. Take the next left at the traffic lights into Hornsey Road and the stadium is about a 1/4 of a mile further down this road.
There is little parking at the stadium itself or in nearby streets. An extensive residents only parking scheme operates around the stadium on matchdays. It's probably better to park further out of London around a tube station such as Cockfosters and get the tube to the ground.
Tony Attwood adds; 'Cockfosters underground station is the obvious station for fans travelling from the north - it is only about 4 miles south of the M25. It has its own car park but this can be full by as early as 12.30pm. What's more it can be difficult to exit after the game, with most drivers seeking to come out and cross the main road to head north. Unless you have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the streets around the general area of the Emirates, it really isn't worth trying to find some street parking. Football fans on matchdays are easy pickings for the traffic wardens, who contrary to popular belief, do work on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.'
Post Code for SAT NAV: N5 1BU
By Train or London Underground
The nearest London Underground tube station to the Emirates Stadium is Holloway Road on the Piccadilly line. However, this is closed on matchdays as it relies mostly on lifts to transport passengers to and from street level and this could cause problems when large crowds are in attendance. Fans should therefore alight at the next stop on the Piccadilly line which is Arsenal tube station. It is only a few minutes walk from here to the stadium. On exiting the station turn right and follow Drayton Park Road around to the left. Then take one of the large bridges over the railway line to the stadium. Other tube stations in walking distance of the stadium are Finsbury Park on the Piccadilly Line and Highbury & Islington on the Victoria Line.
Otherwise you can take an overland train to Finsbury Park Railway Station from London Kings Cross. It is then about a 10 to 15 minute walk from Finsbury Park to the stadium. Drayton Park Station which is situated right by the stadium is closed at weekends.
Tim Sansom adds; 'After the game we had to walk a fair distance to find an underground station that had not been shut due to overcrowding. We found that the Arsenal underground had been shut by the police and so had to undertake a fairly long walk to Finsbury Park which was also shut by station staff. We were recommended by the police to take the mainline train into Kings Cross, which we did with no problems and were back in central London within 10 minutes'.
Unless you are team are being stuffed and you are leaving the game a little early, then Arsenal tube station should be fine. If though you are staying to the final whistle, then you are better off walking to Finsbury Park, rather than wait in the long queues at Arsenal tube. To get to Finsbury Park, simple walk past Arsenal tube station on your left and then take a left into St Thomas's Road. The station is at the end of the road. The Police also do a good job of controlling the flow of the numbers of fans onto the station.
Saturday February 22
12:45 Chelsea v Everton
15:00 Arsenal v Sunderland
15:00 Cardiff City v Hull City
15:00 Manchester City v Stoke City
15:00 West Brom v Fulham
15:00 West Ham United v Southampton
17:30 Crystal Palace v Man Utd
Sunday February 23
13:30 Liverpool v Swansea City
13:30 Newcastle United v Aston Villa
16:00 Norwich City v Tottenham
2012/13 ARSENAL 0 SUNDERLAND 0
22. Simon Mignolet
8. Craig Gardner
24. Carlos Cuellar
16. John O'Shea
11. Kieran Richardson
7. Sebastian Larsson 78'
14. Jack Colback
6. Lee Cattermole
23. James McClean
28. Stephane Sessegnon 63'
9. Fraizer Campbell 68'
Subs
20. Keiren Westwood
10. Connor Wickham
12. Matthew Kilgallon
18. David Meyler 78'
19. Titus Bramble
25. Louis Saha 63'
27. Ahmed Elmohamady 68'
Arsenal started life after Robin van Persie with a frustrating goalless draw against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.
The Holland striker - whose 30 goals had dragged the Gunners into third place last season - on Friday completed a £24million move to Manchester United, having made it clear earlier in the summer he would not be signing a new deal.
Arsene Wenger's side, boasting summer signings Lukas Podolski, the German striker, and impressive Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla in the starting XI, enjoyed plenty of possession, but lacked a killer instinct in the final third.
When a clear opening eventually came their way late in the second half, substitute Olivier Giroud, who netted 21 goals for Montpellier last season, fired wide.
While there were plenty of positives to take from the workrate of his side, manager Arsene Wenger will know there must be an improvement in conversion rate if Arsenal are to challenge over the course of the season.
New skipper Thomas Vermaelen received a warm welcome from the returning Arsenal faithful, along with summer signings Cazorla and Podolski in the starting line-up.
It was a lively start by the hosts, but Sunderland remained dangerous on the counter through Stephane Sessegnon.
On six minutes, the Arsenal defence was opened up as James McClean slipped into the penalty area, but his shot was blocked smartly by Wojciech Szczesny
Spain international Cazorla, signed from Malaga, almost made himself an instant hero when he charged forwards and unleashed a 20-yard effort which Black Cats keeper Simon Mignolet beat away.
Sunderland created another decent opening when the ball was worked to Jack Colback at the edge of the Arsenal area, but his low effort was straight at the keeper.
Gervinho skipped away down the left and rode a couple of tackles before cutting the ball back across goal, only for Cazorla to drill it wide.
Arsenal continued to press Sunderland deeper as Abou Diaby's low, 20-yard effort was touched around the post.
The visitors, however, set up with two banks of four and were hard to break down.
Sunderland also looked to get forwards themselves, with the best success again coming down the left flank though Sessegnon.
Arsenal finally pulled some passes together as Theo Walcott was played into the right and his cutback to the near post was hacked behind before Podolski could get there.
The second half opened the same pattern, with the hosts were left frustrated by some stern defending as much as their own poor choice of final pass.
On 57 minutes, Kieran Richardson upended Walcott some 25 yards out. Podolski took the free-kick, but the German's effort flew just over.
As the hour mark passed, Sessegnon was replaced by Louis Saha, signed on a free transfer after he left Tottenham.
The Gunners also made a change when Giroud came on for his debut, Podolski making way.
Wenger then aimed to inject some fresh ideas into midfield as Wales captain Aaron Ramsey - part of the Team GB Olympic squad this summer - came on for the hard-working Diaby.
Sunderland continued to sit back, but Arsenal failed to make the most of their possession heading into the final 15 minutes, when Walcott was replaced by Andrey Arshavin, the Russian whose future remains uncertain following a loan spell at former club Zenit St Petersburg last season.
With nine minutes left, Cazorla played in Giroud, but the French striker, so clinical in Ligue 1 last season, fired wide from 10 yards.
Arsenal pressed in search of a winner during four minutes of stoppage time, but had to be content with just a point - which was greeted by boos from some home supporters.
BLACK CATS v GUNNERS
2013/2014 Sat 14 Sep Sunderland 1 - 3 Arsenal Premier League
2012/2013 Sat 09 Feb Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal Premier League
Sat 18 Aug Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland Premier League
2011/2012 Sat 18 Feb Sunderland 2 - 0 Arsenal F.A. Cup
Sat 11 Feb Sunderland 1 - 2 Arsenal Premier League
Sun 16 Oct Arsenal 2 - 1 Sunderland Premier League
2010/2011 Sat 05 Mar Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland Premier League
2013/2014 Sat 18 Sep Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal Premier League
2010/2011 Sat 18 Sep Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal Premier League
2009/2010 Sat 20 Feb Arsenal 2 - 0 Sunderland Premier League
Sat 21 Nov Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal Premier League
2008/2009 Sat 21 Feb Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland Premier League
Sat 04 Oct Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal Premier League
2007/2008 Sun 11 May Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal Premier League
Sun 07 Oct Arsenal 3 - 2 Sunderland Premier League
2005/2006 Mon 01 May Sunderland 0 - 3 Arsenal Premiership
Sat 05 Nov Arsenal 3 - 1 Sunderland Premiership
Tue 25 Oct Sunderland 0 - 3 Arsenal League Cup
2002/2003 Sun 11 May Sunderland 0 - 4 Arsenal Premiership
Wed 06 Nov Arsenal 2 - 3 Sunderland League Cup
Sun 06 Oct Arsenal 3 - 1 Sunderland Premiership
2001/2002 Sat 30 Mar Arsenal 3 - 0 Sunderland Premiership
Sat 27 Oct Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal Premiership
2000/2001 Sat 30 Dec Arsenal 2 - 2 Sunderland Premiership
Sat 19 Aug Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal Premiership
1999/2000 Sat 15 Jan Arsenal 4 - 1 Sunderland Premiership
Sat 14 Aug Sunderland 0 - 0 Arsenal Premiership
1996/1997 Wed 15 Jan Sunderland 0 - 2 Arsenal F.A. Cup
Sat 11 Jan Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal Premiership
Sat 04 Jan Arsenal 1 - 1 Sunderland F.A. Cup
Sat 28 Sep Arsenal 2 - 0 Sunderland Premiership
1990/1991 Sat 04 May Sunderland 0 - 0 Arsenal First Division
Sat 05 Jan Arsenal 2 - 1 Sunderland F.A. Cup
Sat 27 Oct Arsenal 1 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1984/1985 Sat 09 Mar Sunderland 0 - 0 Arsenal First Division
Sat 20 Oct Arsenal 3 - 2 Sunderland First Division
1983/1984 Sat 03 Mar Sunderland 2 - 2 Arsenal First Division
Sat 05 Nov Arsenal 1 - 2 Sunderland First Division
1982/1983 Sat 07 May Arsenal 0 - 1 Sunderland First Division
Sat 18 Dec Sunderland 3 - 0 Arsenal First Division
1981/1982 Sat 06 Feb Sunderland 0 - 0 Arsenal First Division
Sat 12 Sep Arsenal 1 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1980/1981 Sat 13 Dec Sunderland 2 - 0 Arsenal First Division
Sat 18 Oct Arsenal 2 - 2 Sunderland First Division
1976/1977 Sat 05 Feb Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland First Division
Sat 28 Aug Sunderland 2 - 2 Arsenal First Division
1969/1970 Sat 28 Feb Arsenal 3 - 1 Sunderland First Division
Sat 18 Oct Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal First Division
1968/1969 Sat 05 Apr Sunderland 0 - 0 Arsenal First Division
Sat 28 Sep Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1967/1968 Sat 20 Apr Sunderland 2 - 0 Arsenal First Division
Sat 14 Oct Arsenal 2 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1966/1967 Sat 17 Dec Arsenal 2 - 0 Sunderland First Division
Sat 20 Aug Sunderland 1 - 3 Arsenal First Division
1965/1966 Sat 23 Apr Arsenal 1 - 1 Sunderland First Division
Wed 20 Apr Sunderland 0 - 2 Arsenal First Division
1964/1965 Sat 16 Jan Sunderland 0 - 2 Arsenal First Division
Sat 12 Sep Arsenal 3 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1957/1958 Sat 21 Dec Arsenal 3 - 0 Sunderland First Division
Sat 24 Aug Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal First Division
1956/1957 Sat 13 Apr Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal First Division
Sat 01 Dec Arsenal 1 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1955/1956 Sat 04 Feb Arsenal 3 - 1 Sunderland First Division
Sat 24 Sep Sunderland 3 - 1 Arsenal First Division
1954/1955 Sat 19 Mar Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 30 Oct Arsenal 1 - 3 Sunderland First Division
1953/1954 Sat 23 Jan Arsenal 1 - 4 Sunderland First Division
Sat 12 Sep Sunderland 7 - 1 Arsenal First Division
1952/1953 Sat 03 Jan Sunderland 3 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 30 Aug Arsenal 1 - 2 Sunderland First Division
1951/1952 Sat 29 Dec Sunderland 4 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 01 Sep Arsenal 3 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1950/1951 Sat 31 Mar Sunderland 0 - 2 Arsenal First Division
Sat 11 Nov Arsenal 5 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1949/1950 Sat 24 Dec Arsenal 5 - 0 Sunderland First Division
Sat 27 Aug Sunderland 4 - 2 Arsenal First Division
1948/1949 Sat 05 Feb Arsenal 5 - 0 Sunderland First Division
Sat 18 Sep Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal First Division
1947/1948 Sat 20 Dec Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 23 Aug Arsenal 3 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1946/1947 Sat 04 Jan Sunderland 1 - 4 Arsenal First Division
Sat 07 Sep Arsenal 2 - 2 Sunderland First Division
1938/1939 Sat 04 Feb Arsenal 2 - 0 Sunderland First Division
Sat 01 Oct Sunderland 0 - 0 Arsenal First Division
1937/1938 Sat 29 Jan Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 18 Sep Arsenal 4 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1936/1937 Sat 09 Jan Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 12 Sep Arsenal 4 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1935/1936 Sat 28 Dec Sunderland 5 - 4 Arsenal First Division
Sat 31 Aug Arsenal 3 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1934/1935 Sat 09 Mar Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland First Division
Sat 27 Oct Sunderland 2 - 1 Arsenal First Division
1933/1934 Sat 21 Apr Arsenal 2 - 1 Sunderland First Division
Sat 09 Dec Sunderland 3 - 0 Arsenal First Division
1932/1933 Sat 07 Jan Sunderland 3 - 2 Arsenal First Division
Sat 03 Sep Arsenal 6 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1931/1932 Wed 06 Apr Sunderland 2 - 0 Arsenal First Division
Sat 12 Sep Arsenal 2 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1930/1931 Sat 17 Jan Arsenal 1 - 3 Sunderland First Division
Sat 13 Sep Sunderland 1 - 4 Arsenal First Division
1929/1930 Mon 28 Apr Arsenal 0 - 1 Sunderland First Division
Sat 21 Sep Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal First Division
1928/1929 Tue 01 Jan Sunderland 5 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Wed 26 Dec Arsenal 1 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1927/1928 Wed 14 Mar Sunderland 5 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 17 Sep Arsenal 2 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1926/1927 Sat 09 Apr Sunderland 5 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 20 Nov Arsenal 2 - 3 Sunderland First Division
1925/1926 Sat 10 Apr Sunderland 2 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 28 Nov Arsenal 2 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1924/1925 Sat 28 Mar Sunderland 2 - 0 Arsenal First Division
Sat 22 Nov Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1923/1924 Sat 19 Apr Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 12 Apr Arsenal 2 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1922/1923 Sat 25 Nov Arsenal 2 - 3 Sunderland First Division
Sat 18 Nov Sunderland 3 - 3 Arsenal First Division
1921/1922 Sat 15 Oct Arsenal 1 - 2 Sunderland First Division
Sat 08 Oct Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal First Division
1920/1921 Sat 05 Feb Sunderland 5 - 1 Arsenal First Division
Sat 29 Jan Arsenal 1 - 2 Sunderland First Division
1919/1920 Sat 20 Sep Arsenal 3 - 2 Sunderland First Division
Sat 13 Sep Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal First Division
1912/1913 Wed 01 Jan Sunderland 4 - 1 Woolwich A First Division
Sat 19 Oct Woolwich A 1 - 3 Sunderland First Division
1911/1912 Sat 23 Mar Sunderland 1 - 0 Woolwich A First Division
Sat 18 Nov Woolwich A 3 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1910/1911 Sat 28 Jan Sunderland 2 - 2 Woolwich A First Division
Sat 24 Sep Woolwich A 0 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1909/1910 Sat 26 Feb Woolwich A 1 - 2 Sunderland First Division
Sat 16 Oct Sunderland 6 - 2 Woolwich A First Division
1908/1909 Sat 27 Mar Sunderland 1 - 0 Woolwich A First Division
Sat 21 Nov Woolwich A 0 - 4 Sunderland First Division
1907/1908 Wed 01 Jan Sunderland 5 - 2 Woolwich A First Division
Sat 28 Dec Woolwich A 4 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1906/1907 Sat 06 Apr Sunderland 2 - 3 Woolwich A First Division
Sat 01 Dec Woolwich A 0 - 1 Sunderland First Division
1905/1906 Wed 25 Apr Sunderland 2 - 2 Woolwich A First Division
Sat 21 Oct Woolwich A 2 - 0 Sunderland First Division
1904/1905 Sat 04 Mar Sunderland 1 - 1 Woolwich A First Division
Sat 05 Nov Woolwich A 0 - 0 Sunderland First Division