The headline tie sends Liverpool to face Chelsea, ensuring one established contender will be gone before the quarter-finals. It is an early test of squad management for two clubs balancing league ambitions with the demands of a knockout competition.
Other ties include:
Manchester City will host Brighton if City overcome Norwich in the remaining third-round fixture.
Arsenal received a home tie against League Two side Fleetwood Town, a glamorous trip for the visitors and a favourable-looking route for the Premier League club.
That immediately triggered online claims about the draw. One post called it “so so rigged”, while another suggested Arsenal regularly receive kind cup assignments. There is no evidence that the draw was manipulated, but the reaction reflects how quickly a routine pairing can become a wider debate about fairness.
For Fleetwood, the opportunity is genuine. Arsenal may rotate, yet the depth available to a top-flight squad makes the challenge formidable. For the Gunners, anything less than progress would turn a seemingly comfortable draw into a major embarrassment.
Manchester United will not be part of the next round after Brighton overturned a half-time deficit. Shea Lacey scored on his full debut and Mason Mount also found the net, but Brighton struck three times to eliminate Michael Carrick’s side.
The defeat also ended United’s 42-year record of avoiding a home loss when leading at the interval. That adds a sharper edge to an already damaging cup exit.
The last-16 fixtures are scheduled for the week beginning 26 October. Liverpool-Chelsea is the tie to watch, but Arsenal’s response to the controversy-and Fleetwood’s attempt to make history-will shape the next chapter.