Poll: No fear for Hull, insists Bruce, as Arsenal await in Cup repeat show

The televised draw, which took place in front of a guest audience at The Deep aquarium in Hull – including Tigers chief Bruce – was handed an uncanny story with cup holders Arsenal and the 2013-14 runners-up drawn out as the first tie.

Fellow Yorkshire sides Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday were also handed trips to top-flight opposition, with the Whites visiting Sunderland in a repeat of the 1973 Wembley final.

The Owls will travel to Manchester City, with memories of their 7-0 Capital One Cup drubbing at the Etihad Stadium on September 24 when Manuel Pellegrini’s side scored seven second-half goals, likely to be at the forefront of their minds.

Wednesday’s Steel City rivals Sheffield United, who lost to Hull in an all-Yorkshire cup semi-final last April and who are also in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup next week, will also visit Premier League hosts in QPR.

But Hull’s trip to Arsenal represented the story of the round and immediately following the draw, Bruce admitted he thought that the Tigers, who drew 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium on October 18, had been drawn at home, only to be corrected.

It came following the rehearsal when Hull had been handed a home tie with the Gunners, only for the reverse to happen when it came to the real thing.

Bruce said: “I was convinced we were at home because when I walked in the building everybody said in rehearsals we had pulled Arsenal out of the bag.

“How is that for luck or whatever it is? It is quite ironic how it has happened.

“But listen, we had a great draw against them a few weeks ago. It is the FA Cup, let us go and enjoy it and see if we can progress.

“We could not have wished for a more difficult one, but there you are. If we are going to be honest about it, it was a really, really good distraction last year and it ended up for some players and myself particularly as being one of the great days of your professional life anyway.”

Arsenal famously came from 2-0 down to claim their first trophy in nine years in May, with Aaron Ramsey netting an extra-time winner to break Hull hearts.

The Tigers were also on the cusp of a stunning result at the Emirates in October, with goals from Mo Diame and Abel Fernandez seeing them lead 2-1 heading into stoppage-time, only for Daniel Welbeck to level.

But despite those late blows, Curtis Davies, who captained Hull at Wembley, says the Tigers can head to North London with optimism.

He said: “Our record against Arsenal is not too bad, but obviously Arsenal at the Emirates is always a difficult game.

“We have to go there and approach it like we did in the league earlier and, hopefully, put on a similar performance and come away with a win.”

Neil Redfearn’s Leeds head up the A1 to the Stadium of the Light for a reunion with former Whites assistant-manager Gus Poyet, the fourth time in six seasons that they have been handed a third-round draw at top-flight opponents following games at Arsenal (twice) and Manchester United.

“It is a great tie,” said Redfearn. “Playing a Premier League club is a good draw for us and it will give our young side, with a lot of talent, the chance to pit their wits against a top-flight side.

“It will be a good test for them and one they will relish.

“That 1973 final is still there in a lot of Leeds’ fans memories. I remember watching it and it was a famous final.

“It will be nice to go up there and put on a performance and get a win.”

Elsewhere, Rotherham United welcome Championship high-fliers Bournemouth, while Doncaster Rovers host Bristol City, with their tie being the last one drawn out.

Barnsley face a Yorkshire derby at home to Middlesbrough, if they beat Chester City in next week’s second round replay, while Huddersfield Town host Reading in an all-Championship tie.

Bradford City have been handed an underwhelming draw at Millwall, in just their second third round appearance in 11 years.

The Bantams have lost their last five games at the New Den, but manager Phil Parkinson, who took his side to the Capital One Cup final in 2013, is positive.

He said: “It is obviously disappointing with the draw, but one where the onus is on Millwall to go through. We will go there as underdogs and they have had a tough run of late and we will give it our best shot.”

The pick of the rest of the draw sees Liverpool travel to AFC Wimbledon, having lost the 1988 final to the original Dons side, while Manchester United will visit Accrington Stanley or Yeovil.

Neil Warnock’s Crystal Palace head to Dover Athletic, while fellow non-leaguers Blyth Spartans welcome Birmingham City. Conference side Gateshead visit Premier League West Brom.

All ties will be played over the weekend of January 3-6.

FA Cup third round draw (ties to be played across the weekend beginning January 3):

Arsenal v Hull City

Southampton v Ipswich

Stoke v Wrexham

Charlton v Blackburn

Dover v Crystal Palace

AFC Wimbledon v Liverpool

Manchester City v Sheffield Wednesday

Aldershot/Rochdale v Nottingham Forest

West Brom v Gateshead

Blyth Spartans v Birmingham

Aston Villa v Blackpool

Rotherham United v Bournemouth

Huddersfield Town v Reading

Oxford/Tranmere v Swansea

Cardiff v Colchester

Bolton v Wigan

Sunderland v Leeds United

Burnley v Tottenham

Millwall v Bradford City

Derby County v Southport

Brentford v Brighton

Fulham v Wolves

Leicester v Newcastle

Scunthorpe/Worcester v Chesterfield

Everton v West Ham

Cambridge/Mansfield v Bury/Luton

Chelsea v Watford

Barnsley/Chester v Middlesbrough

QPR v Sheffield United

Accrington/Yeovil v Manchester United

Preston v Norwich

Doncaster Rovers v Bristol City