Arsenal have come under fire for promoting free tickets for the next round of the FA Cup – before a ball has been kicked in their fourth round tie against Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Premiership club tweeted a plea from their official account urging supporters to enter a competition for tickets to the next round.

However, Chris Hughton’s boys may have something to say about their future participation in the competition when the two sides meet at the American Express Community Stadium on Sunday.

The tweet prompted anger from both sets of supporters, with Albion fans labelling the Premier League outfit “arrogant”. Meanwhile, Arsenal fans slammed their own club for the possibility of jinxing the result.

Albion fan Nick Fears, 68, from Lewes, who is heading to the game on Sunday, said: “If Brighton play like they did on Wednesday, then they can match any Premier League team and Arsenal will end up with egg on their face.

“It’s a silly statement by silly Londoners.”

Supporters have a renewed confidence in the side following a good run of results since Hughton took over from Sami Hyypia in December.

On Wednesday, they secured three points with a 3-2 win against promotion-chasing Ipswich. Many now fancy the Seagulls to avenge their defeat at the hands of the Gunners in the FA Cup fifth round in January 2013.

Albion supporter Casey Vatcher, 21, from Bournemouth, said: “Last time we played them we showed them exactly what we were capable of.

“This time, more than ever, we can get a win.

“We’re starting to play well under Chris Hughton, we’ve got a few players coming back into form and they’ve got frailties at the back which we can exploit.

“I think it’s funny and quite silly they’ve gone and done that, and I’m sure we can make them regret it.”

A full house is expected on Sunday and there is even talk of a record attendance.

Albion fan Simon Waring, 53, said: “Well that’s just a classic case of Arsenal being up their own, well, being up themselves. But nothing surprises me these days.

“Anything can happen in the FA Cup, so it would make it extra special if we beat them.

“Four games ago, I wouldn’t have given us a hope, but we’re starting to play well now.”

Albion fan Robin Ward, 26, from Hove, said: “I think it’s outrageous that they can offer to give away something they don’t even have.

“They win one trophy in ten years and they think they’re big dogs.”

Liz Costa, vice-chairwoman of Albion Supporters’ Club, said it would be nice to rub Arsenal’s faces in it with a win on Sunday. However, she said the day would have greater significance for her.

She will be in the 1901 Club celebrating Albion superfan Sarah Watts’ birthday after her untimely death on January 6.

Ms Costa said: “If we play anything like we did Wednesday night, we’ve got half a chance.

“We had this all arranged before Sarah’s untimely demise, so a win would put the icing on the cake for us.”

Arsenal posted the message at about 4.30pm on Wednesday and promptly deleted it at 3.20pm yesterday after being contacted by The Argus.

A spokesman said there had been a mistake with the wording, adding: “The tweet referred to an FA competition to win tickets to Brighton and Hove Albion v Arsenal on Sunday.”