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Arsenal offer chance of more FA Cup magic for Lincoln

By James Dale

Thursday 9 March 2017 12:17, UK

Lincoln City players celebrate their 3-1 win after Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round
Image: Lincoln City are already dreaming of Wembley, according to the club's managing director

Arsenal were the "plum draw" Lincoln were hoping for to produce more FA Cup magic, says the non-league club's managing director.

The Imps will become the first non-League team in 103 years to compete in the last eight of the competition on Saturday when they face Arsenal, who crashed out of the Champions League this week.

Danny and Nicky Cowley, former PE teachers turned Lincoln management duo, have already seen off Premier League side Burnley in the previous round with a dramatic 1-0 win, but the scalp of Arsenal would represent the type of giant-killing the competition is all about, according to Kevin Cooke.

"We are dreaming of Wembley and we're only one game away," he said. "All we have to do now is beat Arsenal and we're there!

SUTTON, GREATER LONDON - FEBRUARY 20: Arsene Wenger, manager of Arsenal arrives at the stadium for the Emirates FA Cup fifth round match between Sutton Un
Image: Arsene Wenger's side have survived one potential cup slip-up already, beating Sutton United in the last round

"This is the one, this is the moment, the plum draw everyone was hoping for. We're playing away at the Emirates and that's something we're all really looking forward to.

"To me the magic of the cup has always been about the shocks, the little clubs who knock out the big boys. It's not about the Premier League teams, it's about the teams at our level who are not expected to win."

Vanarama National League leaders Lincoln will be the first opponents to head to the Emirates Stadium since Arsenal's biggest defeat at the ground, Tuesday's 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

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A small group of Arsenal fans marched in protest against Arsene Wenger before kick-off against Bayern Munich
Image: A small group of Arsenal fans marched in protest against Arsene Wenger before kick-off against Bayern Munich

Continuing their FA Cup run on Arsenal's turf will do no damage to Lincoln's home attendances, though, which have already been boosted by their progress.

"We've nearly doubled our gate since the last round," Cooke added. "It's done wonders in terms of re-engaging with the the fanbase, with the city and with the country. Long may that continue."

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: Lincoln owe a huge debt to Danny (pictured) and Nicky Cowley, says Kevin Cooke

Lincoln have spent six years out of the Football League and, with promotion looking increasingly likely, the debt of gratitude owed to the Cowleys is apparent.

Cooke's fellow director and board member Ian Reeve said: "The Cowleys are the instrument, they are the people that really made this happen.

"But there's been a lot of hard work by a lot of people over a long time, a combination of effort throughout the club.

"The cup run has been wonderful for us and it's been a long, long time coming. This is for the fans who have waited a long time for this."

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