Highbury hosts 12 FA Cup Semi-Finals
As well as a host of novelty matches involving boxers, jockeys and the Metropolitan Police, Highbury has hosted some other notable matches without the Gunners including 12 FA Cup Semi-Finals.
The first of these was back in 1929. Portsmouth defeated Aston Villa 1-0 but went on to lose 2-0 to Bolton in the Final at Wembley. Preston North End ran out 4-1 winners over West Brom eight years later but also went on to lose in the Final, 3-1 to Sunderland.
Portsmouth were back at Highbury in 1939, beating Huddersfield 2-1. This time they went on to lift the Cup after a 4-1 demolition of Wolves.
However, a Semi-Final victor at Highbury would not win the famous trophy again until 1978, ironically at the expense of Arsenal.
Leicester defeated Pompey in 1949 only to lose to Wolves and Manchester United beat Fulham 5-3 after a replay, but went on to lose 2-0 to Bolton, courtesy of two Nat Lofthouse strikes.
In 1978 Ipswich triumphed 3-1 over West Brom and then went on to a record a shock victory over the Gunners at Wembley with a 77th-minute strike from Roger Osborne.
Highbury staged four Semis in four years from 1981 to 84 with Tottenham, QPR, Brighton and Everton victorious, but the Gunners didn't host another neutral Cup tie until 1992.
On that occasion Liverpool drew 1-1 with Portsmouth, who have featured in a quarter of all Highbury Semi-Finals, and went through on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the replay. The Merseysiders beat Sunderland 2-0 in the Final.
The most recent FA Cup Semi-Final to be staged at Highbury was an all-London affair between Chelsea and Wimbledon. Goals from Gianfranco Zola and Mark Hughes gave the Blues a 3-0 win and they went on to beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in the Final.
With thanks to David Barber of the FA.
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