The possibility of a repeat of the 1998 English FA Cup final has been kept alive after holders Arsenal and Newcastle United were kept apart in this season's semi-finals.

Arsenal, 2-0 conquerors of the Geordies at Wembley, will face the winners of the Chelsea-Manchester United replay this Wednesday.

And Newcastle will take on the winners of the Barnsley-Tottenham quarter-final, which will be staged at Oakwell on March 16th after Saturday's postponement.

It also keeps open the chance of an all North London final, with George Graham taking on his former club following the two semi-finals between Arsenal and Tottenham at Wembley in 1991 and 1993.

And the door has also been left ajar for the possibility of Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit facing his former club Chelsea.

Ladbrokes make Arsenal 2 to 1 favourites to retain the FA Cup. Others: 3 to 1 Tottenham, 4 to 1 Newcastle, 9 to 2 Chelsea, 5 to 1 Manchester United, 40 to 1 Barnsley.

Semi-Finals

Newcastle v Barnsley or Spurs

Man Utd or Chelsea v Arsenal

Ties to be played on Sunday, April 11th.