Arsenal draws Middlesbrough for FA Cup 5th round match

In the just-concluded 5th round draw, Arsenal was rewarded by the great ball-selecting forces by getting a home match against a Championship side. Middlesbrough, fresh from a 2-0 upset of a toothless, Yaya Toure-less Manchester City at the Etihad, will come to Arsenal with dreams of further giant-slaying in the works. Middlesbrough currently sits second in the Championship table, just a point below league leaders Bournemouth. Were the season to end today, Middlesbrough would be promoted without having to go through the playoff, though only a positive goal-differential separates them from third-place Ipswich.

In other draw news, the Aston Villa-Leicester City pairing and West Brom-West Ham pairing means at least two Premier League teams will be bounced when the field is pared from sixteen to 8 teams -- three if Liverpool can overcome Bolton to face Crystal Palace.

The match is scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 14-15 (exact dates and times TBD).