Has Arsenal's route to the FA Cup quarter-finals been harder than last season's?

After beating Middlesbrough on Sunday, Arsenal were given a tough quarter-final draw against Manchester United. Arsenal are the cup holders after they beat Hull at Wembley last May, and the Gunners are just three wins away from retaining the trophy. The FA Cup is famous for the draw, anyone can play anyone. Have Arsenal had a more difficult draw this year compared to last year?

Last season Arsenal were given a huge tie in the FA Cup third round, a tie against North London rivals Spurs. Apart from being a derby, matches between Arsenal and Spurs are always close affairs, they're close geographically and they're close on the pitch. After dispatching Spurs, Arsenal were drawn against Coventry in the fourth round. This is probably the easiest cup tie that Arsenal dealt with on their way to Wembley. Arsenal were then drawn at home to Liverpool in the fifth round. The cup match came a week after Arsenal lost 5-1 to Liverpool at Anfield in the league, so Arsenal came into the tie as underdogs. Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1 and were drawn with Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton in the quarters.

It could be argued that to get to the quarter-finals last year Arsenal faced two hard teams but that those ties were made easier because they were drawn at home. In the quarter-finals themselves Arsenal faced Everton, another difficult draw, at home. 

This season, Arsenal have been given a somewhat easier run to round six. Arsenal beat Hull in round three, in what was a repeat of last years cup final. In round four, Arsenal were given a draw away to Brighton. Ironically, this was Arsenal's first away FA Cup tie since they faced Brighton two years before. Arsenal passed the tough test that Brighton gave them and were rewarded with a tie against Middlesborough. Boro' got to the fifth round after beating Manchester City in round four. Arsenal beat Middlesbrough and were given this years big quarter final tie against Manchester United. 

Although this year's run to the quarter-finals gave Arsenal some tough ties against lower league opposition, last year's run gave Arsenal ties against three of their top four rivals. The tie against Manchester United on March 9th is arguably the toughest FA Cup test Arsenal have faced for a long time.