Nottingham Forest have been drawn against Arsenal in the third round of the Carabao Cup and will be fully aware of the size of the challenge they face.
A trip to Emirates Stadium delivers both excitement and trepidation.
Will the Gunners name their strongest side?
If not, how many changes will be made?
How much hope will Forest be given?
Back in January 2018, Arsene Wenger made plenty of tweaks for an FA Cup visit to the City Ground and left on the wrong end of a stunning 4-2 win for the Reds.
Could history repeat itself?
Battle
Wenger is no longer calling the shots in north London.
A reunion between two sides with a long history will pitch Sabri Lamouchi into battle with Unai Emery.
The club which once looked to Forest for assistance in finding a kit will be seeking to underline their standing as a Premier League heavyweight.
The Reds will take on the role of plucky underdog.
Plenty before them have tried and failed when facing the Gunners as outsiders.
Many have fallen in the League Cup.
And at the third round stage.
History is not on Forest’s side as they start to piece together plans for a journey to the capital.
Across the last 16 years, stretching back to September 2003, only one side has tripped Arsenal in the League Cup at the third hurdle.
Southampton stand alone in that regard.
The Saints secured a 2-1 success at the Emirates during the 2014-15 season.
You then have to turn the clock back some way to find the last third round upset sprung by Sunderland in 2002-03.
A rather short list of 21st century triumphs for those facing Arsenal at this stage includes only one more entry.
Ipswich, from 2000-01.
Sunderland secured a 3-1 victory, while the Tractor Boys ploughed their way to a narrow 2-1 win.
Reversals
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If Forest are looking to clutch at straws, then there are some to be found.
The most obvious being that Arsenal are not invincible on home soil.
They may have only suffered three third round reversals in 19 years, but they all came in north London – one at Highbury and two at the Emirates.
Forest have also shown that they are capable of out-firing the Gunners.
Memories of that famous FA Cup clash on Trentside will come flooding back once the two sides lock horns on September 24.
There will be no Eric Lichaj to steal the show on this occasion, earning himself a new puppy.
A hero cape can be picked up by someone else, though, with another trend bucked and the form book ripped up when it comes to League Cup outings for Arsenal.
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