Arsenal set to offer Lincoln City maximum allocation of 9,000 away tickets for FA Cup quarter-final

Arsenal are set to give Lincoln City the maximum allocation of 9,000 away tickets for next month’s FA Cup quarter-final at Emirates Stadium.

Competition rules state that visiting sides can ask for up to 15 per cent of seats and it is understood Lincoln have requested the full amount for the tie, which was last night moved to Saturday 11 March at 5.30pm for television coverage.

Negotiations are ongoing but the Gunners are thought to be willing to accommodate Lincoln’s wishes once safety concerns have been properly considered.

Plymouth Argyle were given 9,000 tickets for their fifth round tie in 2009 but more recently, Coventry City were offered a similar figure in 2014 yet only took 5,186.

Lincoln City average in the region of 4,000 fans for home games in the National League but interest will be exceptionally high given they have reached the last eight for the first time in 130 years, becoming the first non-league team to do so since 1914.

Arsenal will be required to open up the top tier of the stadium, which has on occasion in the past prompted concerns among the club’s safety advisory group, comprising representatives of Arsenal, police and transport authorities in addition to Islington Council.

However, there are unlikely to be any significant objections this time.