Lincoln City defender Bradley Wood has warned Arsenal he will do whatever it takes to keep Alexis Sanchez quiet when the teams meet in the FA Cup this evening.

Wood has a reputation in the National League for his tough-tackling, no-nonsense approach.

When Arsene Wenger's side beat Sutton to set up the quarter-final tie against the Imps at the Emirates, the 25-year-old received a message from his brother Robert, an Arsenal fan, asking him to go easy on their multi-million pound stars.

Lincoln defender Bradley Wood will do whatever it takes to keep Alexis Sanchez quiet

The no-nonsense defender says he has no problem 'smashing' the likes of Alexis Sanchez

'I got a text from him wishing me good luck but also saying please don't injure too many of their players,' he says.

'I told him him I'll do what I normally do and he messaged back saying "oh, can't wait...".'

One player he can't wait to face is Sanchez. While he knows the Chilean is one of the world's best at making defenders look stupid, the right-back is up for his biggest battle yet.

'I'm a human being and he's a human being. That's all it is. We're two guys who could be going against each other over 90 or 120 minutes.

Wood is out of contract in June but has verbally agreed a new deal with the club

'There are many ways to skin a cat and by hook or crook that's what I'll try to do to him. If he tries to run me in the channels then I'm smashing him,' he says.

'That's not to say that I'm going to boot him 24/7 but if I manage to keep him quiet then I'll have done a good job. It'll be the same on the left side with Sam [Habergham and in the centre with Luke [Waterfall] and Sean [Raggett].'

And despite the odds being stacked heavily against the first non-League side to reach the last eight of the FA Cup in 103 years, Wood believes the Imps are heading south to win.

'We're coming up against world class players who are better than us, we know that, but we've got a big, big heart and we're not going to be tourists on a stadium tour,' he adds.

'Arsenal are going through a sticky patch, they've got the fans on their backs. After 20 or 30 minutes, if it's still 0-0 or we're 1-0 up, I'm sure those 9,000 Lincoln fans will turn into 20,000 and the longer the game goes on it'll get worse for them. We've got our game plan and we know if we implement that we'll be ok.'

Alexis Sanchez looked grumpy during training and could be in for rough ride on Saturday

Wood's matured since his days at Grimsby Town. He made his debut in 2009. It's hard to believe he's only 25 given the number of games he has played.

One person who has been there all the way is his partner Loren. They have four children together.

'There's Ellie, seven, Mollie, seven, Oscar, five, Amelia, one. Amelia is a little princess and the one who can brighten any moment of any day,' he says.

'Loren has been with me all the way through, though. There have been some tough times. We both work. We are a working couple after all.'

After Grimsby he spent two years at Alfreton ahead of his move to Sincil Bank. It was part-time football.

Wood, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has no sympathy for Premier League players who complain or hold out for more money.

A new contract for him may have been agreed verbally with manager Danny Cowley but the uncertainty is what keeps him so committed.

Wood says manager Danny Cowley has transformed Lincoln into a group of winners

He's already played over 40 games this season and is expected to set the tempo in each one.

'Danny and Nicky [Cowley - assistant manager] have turned us into winners,' he adds. 'What they say do and say is crucial to our success. There's no b******t.'

It's been a relentless year but it's clear to see why he embraces it. He is a fighter - fighting for himself and his family who rely on him dearly.

'I'm out of contract at the end of the season but that has only meant that I haven't become complacent,' I'm playing to pay bills, to pay the mortgage, to support my kids. That's what I think about.

'Loren has been my rock. She's seen me at my lowest and at my highest. Football is just a job for me. She asked me the other day whether I was excited for the Arsenal game. Of course I am, but I always look at the bigger picture.

'Playing Arsenal will be unforgettable. I'll be thinking about my family when I walk out of the tunnel. They will be with me throughout. They are what fuels me.'