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Danny Cowley says Lincoln will embrace Arsenal FA Cup tie at Emirates Stadium

By PA Sport

Tuesday 21 February 2017 11:29, UK

Lincoln City's English manager Danny Cowley reacts after winning the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Lincoln City and Burnley at Turf moo
Image: Danny Cowley has said he will ensure Lincoln will be geared up for Arsenal visit

Lincoln manager Danny Cowley admits his team will have to be "geared up" for the challenge of facing Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but he is ready to embrace it.

The Gunners came through a testing fifth-round tie at fellow Vanarama National League side Sutton on Monday night, winning 2-0 on the artificial pitch at Gander Green Lane.

Lincoln have produced shock results through the tournament, knocking out Sky Bet Championship side Ipswich after a replay and then beating Burnley 1-0 away at Turf Moor with a late goal from defender Sean Raggett.

Lincoln City's Sean Raggett celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game with team mates during the Emirates FA Cup, Fifth Round match at Turf Moor
Image: Sean Raggett is mobbed after scoring Lincoln's winner against Burnley

Cowley, though, accepts there are no words to describe what next awaits the National League leaders when they head to the 60,000-seater venue next month to take on Arsene Wenger's star-studded squad.

"I have run out of analogies. We are going to the Emirates in the sixth round of the FA Cup to play Arsenal. That says it all," Cowley told the Lincolnshire Echo.

"It is a brilliant opportunity, a great tie and one we will really look forward to. We will learn a lot about ourselves on the back of that game.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: The Lincoln City team celebrate their win in the changing room after The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Burnle
Image: Lincoln celebrate reaching the quarter-finals in Turf Moor's away dressing room

"We are going to look forward to going to the Emirates and we will put a game plan together.

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"They move the ball pretty quickly through the thirds, so we are going to have to be geared up for that, but we are going to embrace it and enjoy it. Whatever happens now, it has been a great journey for everyone associated with the club."

Arsenal's Theo Walcott celebrates
Image: Theo Walcott scored his 100th Arsenal goal in 2-0 win at Sutton

Lincoln are back in action on Tuesday night as they continue their promotion push away at bottom club North Ferriby, before meeting Boreham Wood in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

Cowley added: "If it is not hard enough to go to Arsenal, we have got to play five games in the lead-up, but it is going to be brilliant.

"It will be a great occasion when it comes around, although we have drawn a line under it for the time being. Our total focus now is on North Ferriby which is going to be a huge examination of our mental strength."

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