He was sacked because Leicester were in a relegation battle, even though they had been in that position the season before he arrived and were rated fifth favourites for the drop at the start of his remarkable title-winning season.

The weight of expectation is bearing down on Arsene Wenger like never before at Arsenal after another torrid week at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

In 21 years at the helm, Wenger has built the club into a financially stable institution with a fantastic stadium and a near permanent place in England’s top four, but the footballing success of his early years, which included three league titles and four FA Cups, set a higher benchmark by which to judge his achievements.

Home is where the Hart is: Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City seek comfort in familiar surroundings

Many people forget that those seven major trophies within Wenger’s first decade at the club matched the haul in nearly half a century before his arrival.

Most of the comparisons involving Wenger focus on the difference between his first decade of success and his second decade of relative failure, with just two FA Cups, rather than the longer-term picture.

Arsenal fans expect trophies now and Wenger’s inability to win another Premier League title or progress beyond the last 16 of the Champions League is threatening to become a noose around his neck.

Being knocked out by Lincoln surely would be a humiliation too far, but it is highly unlikely.

League Cup can once again give Jose Mourinho a platform for success

Favourable fixtures are a key ingredient of FA Cup success and Arsenal have been blessed to be drawn at home to the weakest team left in the competition.

Whatever the criticism of Wenger’s team at the highest level, their quality shines through against lesser opposition.

Even in the Premier League, where the standard of opposition is much higher than Lincoln, Arsenal have won 14 out of 19 this season against teams below the top six, which includes eight out of 10 at home.

Since their initial golden period under Wenger ended with FA Cup success in 2005, Arsenal have been knocked out by lower-league opposition only once by Blackburn of the Championship in 2013 and have won 14 of their 20 ties without the need for a replay or extra-time, which includes 10 out of 13 at home.

Chelsea’s double target made easier with lack of European commitments

Cowley and his brother Nicky have worked wonders to bring Lincoln to the quarter-finals, becoming the first non-league club to reach this stage in 103 years.

Lincoln are the leading non-league side in England, and probably up to League One standard already, but beating Arsenal is on a different level altogether to their victory over Premier League side Burnley in the fifth round.

One goal was always likely to make Lincoln competitive against low-scoring Burnley, but Arsenal have not been beaten this season without the opposition scoring at least twice.

Cowley broke the Burnley match into six 15-minute periods, instructing his players to treat each one as a mini-game, but has changed that approach to nine 10-minute periods against Arsenal.

Chelsea can focus on Premier League-FA Cup double while rivals battle fixture pile-ups

If everything falls right, Lincoln might win one with a set-piece goal but more likely is that Arsenal will win four.

Any less would be a highly creditable result for Lincoln; avoiding defeat would be a brilliant achievement.

The more serious difficulties will lie ahead for Arsenal, as this season’s FA Cup looks likely to deliver the most high-level semi-final line-up in years - probably Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and one of Chelsea or Manchester United.

Chelsea at home to United rounds off the weekend on Tuesday morning and promises to be a cracker with both teams in excellent form.

Liverpool look vulnerable at home to Tottenham Hotspur, but Reds often show their true colours against the big boys

The hosts are difficult to oppose, having won 15 out of 16 at Stamford Bridge in all competitions under Antonio Conte with their only loss coming against Liverpool early in the season before they changed formation.

They beat United 4-0 at home in the league in October, but Jose Mourinho’s side are much improved too and this is likely to be much tighter. The temptation is to go for United, simply because the odds look too big.

Best bets

Shortlist

Huddersfield, Inter.

West Ham on handicap

Just one defeat in last 10 against teams below them

Newcastle home win

Good value despite occasional blips

Monchengladbach on handicap

One defeat in last 10 against German opposition

Sampdoria on handicap

In good form after six matches unbeaten

Villarreal on handicap

Solid record against teams below them

Big number

11

Matches without defeat for Chelsea against Manchester United