LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Johnnie Jackson, caretaker manager of Charlton Athletic, acknowledges the fans following the Sky Bet League One match between Charlton Athletic and Rotherham United at The Valley on November 02, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)

Charlton boss ‘gutted’ not to get Arsenal in FA Cup draw

Dec 12, 2021

Charlton’s caretaker boss, Johnnie Jackson, revealed he was a bit ‘gutted’ not to get Arsenal in the FA Cup draw that was made recently.

In the build-up to the latest Arsenal debacle, this time taking place at Goodison Park on Monday night, the draw for the third round of the FA Cup was also made.

As the FA Cup draw was made, Arsenal’s name remained in the hat until the very end as they were the last team drawn out.

In the penultimate fixture to be drawn from the hat, Charlton Athletic were drawn at home and could only meet Norwich City, Nottingham Forest or Arsenal.

It was the Canaries name that was drawn to face the Addicks, leaving Arsenal to travel to Forest.

“If you just said that we were facing Norwich then it is a good draw – a Premier League team at home, it’s a great test for us,” Jackson said.

“But, I’ll be honest, I’m watching the draw and Arsenal are still in there with four balls left. I’m thinking ‘we’re going to get Arsenal’. For me that would have been unbelievable and for the lads, club and supporters.

“For me it would almost be like a dream come true.

“I was a bit gutted initially because there were four balls left and we’re one of them and so are Arsenal – I’d convinced myself we were going to get them. But, after the dust settles, it is a great draw. It’s a good chance for us to pit our wits against a great team.”

If the name ‘Johnnie Jackson’ sounds familiar to you, you might remember him from his time at Spurs when Spurs fans were raving about him being better than every prospect at Arsenal.

He went on to make a total of 24 appearances for Spurs, in between five loans, before being released for free so he could join Colchester United.

Now caretaker manager at Charlton, he made 279 appearances for them, scoring 55 and assisting 23.

Charlton sacked their manager, Nigel Adkins, in October after just eight months in charge.

LONDON - JANUARY 02: Alexander Hleb of Arsenal is tackled by Jerome Thomas of Charlton Athletic during the Barclays Premiership match between Arsenal and Charlton Athletic at the Emirates Stadium on January 2, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images) — LONDON – JANUARY 02: Alexander Hleb of Arsenal is tackled by Jerome Thomas of Charlton Athletic during the Barclays Premiership match between Arsenal and Charlton Athletic at the Emirates Stadium on January 2, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

Arsenal last played Charlton in 2007 when the Gunners won 4-0 at the Emirates in the Premier League.

Charlton last beat Arsenal in 2001. They managed to win just three of the last 30 games against Arsenal, losing 23.

FA Cup third round draw in full (select teams in bold)

Boreham Wood or St Albans v AFC Wimbledon
Yeovil Town v Bournemouth
Stoke City v Leyton Orient
Swansea City v Southampton
Chelsea v Chesterfield
Liverpool v Shrewsbury Town
Cardiff v Preston North End
Coventry City v Derby County
Burnley v Huddersfield
West Bromwich Albion v Brighton and Hove Albion
Kidderminster Harriers v Reading
Leicester City v Watford
Mansfield Town v Middlesbrough
Hartlepool United v Blackpool
Hull City v Everton
Bristol City v Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur v Morecambe
Millwall v Crystal Palace
Port Vale v Brentford
Swindon Town v Manchester City
Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers
Luton Town v Harrogate Town
Birmingham City v Plymouth Argyle
Manchester United v Aston Villa
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sheffield United
Newcastle United v Cambridge United
Barnsley v Ipswich Town or Barrow
Peterborough United v Bristol Rovers
West Ham United v Leeds United
Queens Park Rangers v Rotherham
Charlton Athletic v Norwich City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal