Both clubs met once previously in all competitions – an FA Cup quarter-final played on 11 March 1978 which Arsenal won by three goals to two. Wrexham qualified for the third round of the 1991–92 FA Cup after beating Winsford United 5–2 in the first round and Telford 1–0 in the second round. Arsenal, like the other top division clubs, entered the competition in the third round. They went into the match as strong favourites; Vinnie Wright's pools forecast in The Times predicted an away win, though Wrexham manager Brian Flynn noted: "On paper they should murder us, but the match isn't being played on paper." Indeed, a match preview compiled by Times journalist Clive White warned against complacency for the visitors: "Wrexham are no push-overs at home and may be encouraged by the absence of Limpar, Wright and Bould in the Arsenal team." Wrexham's precarious league position was covered in a The Guardian feature piece, which examined the feasibility of the club's ambitious redevelopment project. As part of a £42 million plan, Wrexham secretary David Rhodes proposed a new 5,000 all-seater stadium, while its Racecourse Ground would be converted into a supermarket.
