Can Lincoln City upset Arsenal and continue their Cinderella FA Cup run?
It's all set up so perfectly. Non-league Lincoln City are into the FA Cup quarterfinals for the first time in their 133-year history. They're the first non-league side to make it into the quarters since 1914. They're up against an Arsenal side coming apart at the seams, with the entire future trajectory of the club in doubt, fresh off a soul-crushing loss on the European stage. There's nothing but belief and excitement on the Lincoln side, but it's all doom and gloom on the Gunners side. It's all set up so perfectly.
For Lincoln, at least.
It's all upside for the Imps. Even if they lose the match (which, to be honest, they probably will), they've gotten further than ever expected, and they've already made history. Everything from here on out is a bonus.
They won't come out against Arsenal just to make up the numbers though, because they're not done yet. This is a real shot for them to continue on and make further history and become legends of England. They've already beaten teams from the Championship, taking down Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion (the latter of whom will probably be in the Premier League next season), and they took down Premier League side Burnley away from home in the last round. Now they're facing an Arsenal side completely lacking confidence and motivation, playing for a "consolation" trophy they've already won twice in the last three years.
Arsenal just crashed out of Champions League in the knockout rounds for the seventh year in a row. They're suffering from alleged infighting, the uncertainty around Arsene Wenger's future, and they're facing the very real proposition of not finishing in the top four for the first time in over a decade. That's not a viable option for the Gunners, and with much less at stake in the FA Cup, Wenger could opt to rest a number of his more important players. Arsenal won't be at their best, that's for sure.
Lincoln have everything to play for, they've got the confidence of the super underdog, and the knowledge that they've already run with the big boys and won. There's a real chance for them to come in and grab a victory against Arsenal.
After that? Anything can happen. Manchester United or Chelsea will be left standing, while Manchester City and Tottenham will likely also be in the remaining mix. It's a mammoth task, but at this point in the season, it's the best chance Lincoln have to catch one of the big sides on an off day.
With the Premier League title (or really, the Champions League places) race wide open, the big teams have to rotate in FA Cup to save energy for the truly important matches. That means using players unfamiliar with each other, possibly out of form, sync, or simply just not at the quality of the first team. Man for man, every single player on the big sides is probably better than the quality in the Lincoln ranks, but as a unit, the Imps will be motivated and in sync, likely using the same team that turned for each match of the earlier rounds. A unit that's familiar with each other and ready to fight for the FA Cup.
It won't be anywhere close to easy, but there's a tiny chance for Lincoln to go on and make history against Arsenal. After that? Anything could happen.
