Per Mertesacker warns Arsenal not to underestimate Lincoln; says despite Gunners being favourites the non-league team can pull off an upset in QF
Per Mertesacker
London: Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker admits Lincoln demand respect for their FA Cup exploits this season as the pair meet today for a place in the semi-finals.
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The Gunners host the Vanarama National League leaders and go into the match as heavy favourites, despite a recent run of poor form. Manager Arsene Wenger has come in for criticism and another protest march against his continued leadership of the team has been scheduled by supporters ahead of kick-off.
Alexis Sanchez will be the key man for Arsenal when the Gunners take on Lincoln in the FA Cup quarter-finals today. Pic/Getty images
A run of five defeats in seven games has left the FA Cup as the only realistic trophy Arsenal can win this season. But Lincoln travel to the Emirates Stadium full of confidence after upsetting the odds to win at Burnley in the previous round.
History makers
Danny Cowley's side also saw off Championship opposition in the shape of Ipswich and Brighton to become the first non-league team in 103 years to reach the last eight. Mertesacker knows that makes for a difficult tie after the 12-time FA Cup winners beat another non-league side, Sutton, in the last round.
'Beauty of the cup'
“That's what the cup's about, that's the beauty of it,” he said. “They were all buzzing to meet us at Sutton. They gave us a good reception, both their players and fans. This time we know our home ground better and we are excited to play in front of our home crowd on the way to Wembley. “But the way they went to Burnley and won, in that fashion, that needs to be respected. We cannot underestimate any side in any league in this country, and that's what I've learned. When I played in the German cup, it was the same.”
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