Doncaster's James Coppinger on facing Gunners 12 years on

Back in December 2005, the Rovers veteran was part of the side who went agonisingly close to pulling off an almighty cup shock against the Gunners at Belle Vue, only for the visitors to break home hearts with a last-gasp leveller in extra-time before winning a penalty shoot-out to book a place in the semi-finals.

That game has provided a nice subplot ahead of this evening’s match-up with the Gunners, while reminding Coppinger – who was just 24 when that tie took place – of just how far he has travelled with Rovers.

Coppinger told The Yorkshire Post: “A few of the young lads have been saying that they were five and six when we last played Arsenal. Twelve years ago – Niall Mason was something like six years old.

“It shows how far me and the club have come in 12 years and so many things have happened and we have had so much success.

“There has obviously been Wembley and Cardiff (Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final in 2007), but going to Emirates is probably one of the best grounds in the country too and it is a dream come true for everybody.

“I have two young boys who are massive about football and watch the Premier League and to have my two kids and wife there against Arsenal is something that I never envisaged in my career really.

“Hopefully we can all do Doncaster justice and come away with our heads held high.”

As for his memories of that famous, if cruel night at Belle Vue, Coppinger added: “I have watched it since, although not recently. But it is always with you with what happened in the first minute of extra-time. The atmosphere and run was special.

“To get Arsenal and be that close to a semi-final was heartbreaking, really.

“Getting to a semi-final would have been massive to the club and everybody involved.

“With one minute to go, we were almost there. But it is never over until it’s over.

“But I do think that the club just took off from that point too.”