Lincoln City director Roger Bates has thanked Arsenal for the way they conducted themselves before, during and after Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at the Emirates and revealed that Arsene Wenger gifted the Imps a silver cannon as a memento of the occasion.
The Imps sold out their 8,942 allocation of seats in the Clock End and their impressive support was acknowledged by both the home fans and several Gunners players at full-time.
“We are just immensely proud of the management and the players for what they have achieved in this FA Cup run,” Bates told LincolnshireLive.com.
“It has been fantastic and I think we saw the reaction of so many Arsenal fans who stayed behind. That wasn’t simply for the fight we put up on Saturday, but in recognition for a non-league club who had reached the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
“It was great to see Theo Walcott and Francis Coquelin who came over to the Lincoln City supporters, which was superb to see. It was very, very moving and the reaction of our supporters to our players was incredible.
“The day delivered everything I expected it to. Obviously, you hope you can sneak a result but you recognise the quality of the opposition. But in terms of the weekend, training at West Ham, staying in a lovely hotel in London and the trip in on the coach, it has all been wonderful.”
He added: “The way Arsenal looked after us was fantastic. Arsene Wenger came up to the Lincoln directors before the game and presented us with a silver cannon. It was a fantastic way to treat Lincoln City.”
Yesterday it was revealed that Arsene Wenger spent nearly an hour and a half talking to Lincoln coaches Dan and Nicky Cowley after the game; a meeting the duo admitted they will ‘cherish forever’.
Arsenal will find out who they face in their Wembley semi-final at 9.30pm this evening.
I love this club!
That’s why the protest was against the spirit of our great club. Many of us think that we need a change but abusing Arsene is not the way to do it.
Couldn’t agree more, Gordy.
Form is temporary, Class is permanent.
I don’t buy that, Wenger has to leave now!
Does everything have to be about the manager’s position at the club? Have a day off.
That was meant to be sarcastic.
No it wasn’t you clown!!
Another reminder that we are class.
I hope that whenever AW goes, the board finds another man that emodies our values in the way he does
IF you could have any coach in the world right now, who would you take?
I think I’d go for Ancelotti. Classy, funny, and players always seem to love playing for him.
and a great set of eyebrows….
We just missed out on Conte, full of class, this is my regret.
The facking touchline mime? He’ll be found out by this time next year.
Touchline mime whose team are top of the table, and the best side in the Premier League so far this season.
I wish the board showed the same class as Arsene Wenger.
Who do you think supplied the silver cannon and organised everything?
And thanks for half of the gate receipts, I’m sure, as well as all the other great stuff.
Quality from the club. Respect to Lincoln as well, they’re a decent team. That Arnold fella looked good
He scored the goal that took Grimsby from National League to League Two last season – looks like he might be getting promoted again. Let’s hope Lincoln give him a bit more respect than Grimsby did.
Their fans were brilliant. Sang all the way down. Polite and friendly on the way out. Hope Lincoln do well!
Thanks, we had a fantastic time, that was our cup final ! good luck next round !
Would have stayed to applaud them off the pitch even if we’d lost! They put in a proper performance (which is a lot more credit than I’d give most teams in the Prem) and their fans were tremendous.
I hope/assume the club collected the shirts after and gave them to Lincoln? Only people I saw swapping were Cech and their keeper.
Makes me even more proud to be a Gooner COYG
Respect
Simply The Arsenal. Class.
Arsenal You classy fuckers you
Man I wish football was more about this kind of spirit and less about drama created by pundits and media.
Absolutely!
Unfortunately, hate seems to sell more..
Lovely
Win,Lose Or Draw,only ARSENAL in my heart and soul.Nothing else matters
you see the videos of what happened between spurs and millwall fans and compare to the atmosphere around the emirates on saturday and its shows such a contrast in the behaviour of fans
I don’t get the continued criticsim of Wenger and now the board (or Silent Stan) Granted none of them are perfect but they do a good job as far as I am concern. People just want quick fixes and it is convenient to label someone as the problem. Silent Stan may not be the perfect owner but he is frankly there not to weigh in on matters footy. In fact I think he is very wise not to. We have all seen owners who think they know better ruin their clubs (Mike Ashley Newcastle please stand up). What Silent Stan… Read more »
Shut up.
Back to the Lane with you.
Ribbit!
A nice, calm and distant analysis of our situation. Not the norm this days. So thanks for that.
No need to go overboard here for a win against Lincoln.
Yes, we behaved ourselves in a classy style, but let’s be realistic is was only Lincoln. We didn’t behave classy in the last games, I’m afraid.
Lincoln fan here it’s been a mental season and we have really appreciated the kindness and friendship of opposing supporters on the journey You have a class set up good luck for the rest of your season
If you noticed none was mentioned in espn & the likes on the complimentary comments made by tHe Lincoln manager & his brother about Wenger and Arsenal. Im sure this one will alao slip by their radar as well.