• Hull City v Arsenal FA Cup team news
AS the live third round draw at The Deep reminded us four weeks ago, the FA Cup still has something very special to offer us in this, its 143rd year.
Some of the 32 ties picked out in front of fish tanks and TV cameras were delightful.
Out came AFC Wimbledon versus Liverpool at Kingsmeadow, a repeat of the 1988 final and the Crazy Gang's victory, and then Leeds United followed out Sunderland to conjure reruns of 1973, Ian Porterfield and Bob Stokoe.
Those two great showpieces affirm the romantic appeal of this famous old trophy, underlining that anything is possible with belief, and so will the third final revisited this weekend, Hull City away to Arsenal (kick-off 5.30pm).
On May 17 of last year, 232 days ago to be precise, these two clubs gave us a final to cherish.
The result might have been predictable as the Gunners lifted the FA Cup for a record-equalling 11th time but the drama of that afternoon was anything but.
It took 10 minutes in the company of Curtis Davies, City's captain that day, to recall just how close the Tigers had come to another famous upset.
The 2-0 lead earned by James Chester and Davies inside eight minutes sent 25,000 supporters wild, before Alex Bruce's header was cleared off the line by Kieran Gibbs. Surely 3-0 would have been too much for the Gunners.
Even so, their comeback was not straightforward.
As well as a generous free-kick that set up their first through Santi Cazorla, there was a corner that never was for their equaliser 17 minutes from time.
Only in extra-time, when swamping the Tigers with intense pressure, did Arsenal's obvious class tell with a superb winner from Aaron Ramsey.
Few FA Cup runners-up have left with such plaudits as City did that day.
Steve Bruce's side might not have won at Wembley but they did dispel the theory that losers are quickly forgotten.
As many as 14 of the 18 players named that day could be part of the third round squad at the Emirates today and each will want to exact a small portion of revenge.
Nothing may ever make up for the Tigers' cruel defeat last May but this would be a fine place to start the catharsis.
And why not? If you were worried about the side Bruce will have to field, Arsenal have a catalogue of problems themselves.
Ramsey, he of the Wembley winner, heads up a lengthy list of absentees that also includes Olivier Giroud, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Mesut Ozil, Abou Diaby and Serge Gnabry. Forwards Danny Welbeck and Lukas Podolski are also expected to miss out.
Arsenal's vast resources do enable them to mask the problems efficiently but Bruce has shown an ability to get at Wenger's teams in the past eight months.
As well as Wembley, there was a 2-2 draw in the Premier League in October, when City were only denied victory by a last-minute equaliser from Welbeck.
City may again fall short at the end of a demanding run of games but recent history suggests they will not be far away.
With a fair wind and good fortune, then who knows? This is the FA Cup after all.
Prediction: Arsenal 2 Hull City 2
• Wounded Arsenal a dangerous beast, but back Hull City for an upset
