FARNBOROUGH Town, engaged in a tug of war between Arsenal and Sky since landing a dream FA Cup home draw with the holders, have requested permission from the FA to play the fourth-round tie at Highbury.
Sky had wanted to broadcast the match live on January 25, on condition that it was played at Farnborough's Aimita Stadium (capacity 4,100), and the Conference club would have received a £265,000 pay-out.
However, Graham Westley, Farnborough's owner, chairman and manager, announced on Wednesday morning that his club would be pursuing a switch to Highbury.
This was after talks with Hampshire Police, Arsenal and the FA.
Farnborough stand to make a substantial six-figure sum after conceding home advantage. The Hampshire club would receive 50 per cent of the gate receipts and it has been speculated that they could earn as much as £1 million if the game was staged at Highbury.
Money talks in the end, but what about the romance of the Cup which can pit one of the giants of the game against a homely non-league club on its own exposed ground?
Bringing Arsenal to the Aimita was Farnborough's best chance of performing a giant-killing act, even against probably the best team in the land. Witness Everton's downfall on a ploughed field of a pitch at Shrewsbury's Gay Meadow on Saturday.