'.

3 Arsenal loanees learn their FA Cup opponents

With Arsenal joining the FA Cup for the third round in January, the Gunners also have three loanees at different clubs taking part in the competition.

GRIMSBY, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Brentford scores his team's third goal during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Grimsby Town and Brentford at Blundell Park on October 28, 2025. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

Following the FA Cup third-round draw earlier this week, the big news for Arsenal fans was that the Gunners would be travelling away to Portsmouth.

But a few other Arsenal players will take part in the third round, with Ismeal Kabia at Shrewsbury Town, Reiss Nelson at Brentford, and Oleksandr Zinchenko at Nottingham Forest.

SWANSEA, WALES: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Nottingham Forest crosses the ball whilst under pressure from Melker Widell of Swansea City during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Swansea City and Nottingham Forest at Swansea.com Stadium on September 17, 2025. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images

The draw pits Shrewsbury against Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home, Brentford away to Sheffield Wednesday, and Nottingham Forest away to Wrexham AFC. So all three clubs will join Arsenal in making a trip that weekend.

Like Arsenal, Brentford and Forest are joining the competition at this stage, whereas Shrewsbury Town have already taken part in the first and second rounds.

Kabia has been a big part of Shrewsbury’s progression, playing 90 minutes in the 3-1 win over South Shields and scoring a vital late equaliser in the eventual penalty-shootout victory over Sutton United. His reward is a match against Premier League opposition.

SOUTH SHIELDS, ENGLAND: Luke Woolston (R) of South Shields in action with Ismeal Kabia of Shrewsbury Town during the Emirates FA Cup First Round match between South Shields and Shrewsbury Town on November 2, 2025. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

As the Premier League sides in their respective ties, Brentford and Forest should be the favourites to progress, despite their away draws.

Shrewsbury certainly aren’t in the same boat, playing a club three leagues above theirs, but they’ll hope Wolves’ current dire form carries across competitions.

Related Topics