 As Premier League clubs , Arsenal and Southampton entered the FA Cup in the third round , which meant each club needed to progress through five rounds to reach the final . Arsenal made a convincing start , they won their opening three rounds , but needed a sixth @-@ round replay against Chelsea . By contrast , Southampton played one replay in the fourth round against Millwall . Arsenal entered the match as favourites and beat Southampton 6 – 1 nine days earlier in the league . Goalkeeper David Seaman captained Arsenal in the absence of the injured Patrick Vieira ; it was to be Seaman 's last appearance for the club . In defence for Southampton , Chris Baird made only his second competitive start . Chris Marsden captained the club in the absence of the injured club captain , Jason Dodd . 
