Barclays Women’s Super League heavyweights Chelsea and Arsenal will contest a Vitality Women’s FA Cup blockbuster in the fifth round at Kingsmeadow next month.
The draw for the fifth round was conducted live on Sportsday on the BBC News Channel this evening. Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper Karen Bardsley helped to draw out the balls.
The Tie of the Round is undoubtedly Chelsea’s meeting with London rivals Arsenal, a game which is a re-run of the 2021 final. The Gunners will be out for revenge following their 3-0 final defeat at Wembley, an occasion in which the team were far from at their best. The two clubs are currently battling it out with the two Manchester sides for this season’s Barclays Women’s Super League title.
Elsewhere in the fifth round, Barclays Women’s Super League leaders Manchester United will host second tier Durham at the Leigh Sports Village while Manchester City will travel to the South West to take on Bristol City, a side that they defeated 6-0 in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup quarter-finals last week. West Ham United will host Aston Villa while Tottenham Hotspur face Reading.
The eight Vitality Women’s FA Cup fifth round ties will be played on Sunday 26 February 2023.
Vitality Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round Draw
Charlton Athletic v Birmingham City
Manchester United v Durham
West Ham United v Aston Villa
Lewes v Cardiff City
Tottenham Hotspur v Reading
Chelsea v Arsenal
Brighton & Hove Albion v Coventry United
Bristol City v Manchester City