Sutton 0 Arsenal 2: Theo Walcott scores 100th Gunners goal as Arsene Wenger avoids non-league FA Cup shock

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James Benge21 February 2017

Arsenal booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals, but were made to battle for their 2-0 over National League side Sutton United.

Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott scored Arsenal’s goals as they set up a quarter final tie with another non-League opponent, Lincoln City, but few will remember this evening for Arsene Wenger’s side.

Sutton’s FA Cup journey from the fourth qualifying round, which had taken in surprise wins over AFC Wimbledon and Leeds, may be at an end but they emerged with as much credit as their visitors after belying the 100-plus places between them in the English footballing pyramid.

Gander Green Lane heaved to capacity well before kick-off, the National League faithful seemingly numbering far beyond 5,000 as they filled every inch of the surrounding area.

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Didn't Arsenal know it. Where the hosts were given a heroes’ welcome as they embarked their bus to walk through the huddled masses the international superstars received no hospitality. Their bus, already 20 minutes late, was greeted by a chorus of boos. Arsene Wenger was “getting sacked in the morning”.

Sutton supporters had expressed disappointment at the absence of Alexis Sanchez, a substitute, and Mesut Ozil, seemingly having jetted off on his holidays, yet Wenger had still named a strong squad captained by Theo Walcott, with World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi anchoring the defence and Granit Xhaka playing his first domestic game since his straight red against Burnley.

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The hosts had vowed to unleash the ‘reducers’ early on yet in truth they could scarcely lay a glove on their Premier a League opponents, instead focusing on maintaining a compact shape and relying on Arsenal to make mistakes, each of which were greeted by an ironic cheer from the 4,300 Sutton loyalists.

Were Arsenal to encroach on the Sutton area the rearguard was resolute, both Theo Walcott and Jeff Reine-Adelaide finding their shots blocked in one passage of play.

Sutton would not be cowed and in former Gunner Craig Eastmond had a player desperate to prove his worth in front of those who had once deemed him unworthy of a place at his boyhood club. On 15 minutes his determination saw him steal the ball in the Arsenal half, drive at Nacho Monreal and go down. On first viewing he deserved a penalty.

Eastmond was not the only United player with an agenda and Roarie Deacon was to prove a constant menace on the Sutton right, though too often he had only a solitary team-mate to aim at.

Sutton had finally established themselves in the game when Arsenal pounced. Granit Xhaka, who had earlier seen yellow for the sort of cynical foul that even the National League deemed unacceptable some time ago, won the ball outside his own area and released Lucas Perez bursting down the right.

The Spaniard, who seems to be increasingly frustrated with his limited opportunities at Arsenal, provided Wenger with a timely reminder of his worth as he skidded a low shot at Ross Worner’s far post. Alex Iwobi seemed to have unsighted the Sutton goalkeeper but he still would have done exceptionally well to keep the effort out.

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The dam would not break just yet, though Iwobi spurned a fine chance to double the Gunners lead before the half was out, and Sutton had their moments as Rob Holding struggled to keep track of the vibrant Maxime Biamou. Only the first touch, the timely cross or the right set play were lacking.

At no time was that more apparent than moments before the interval. David Ospina miscues his clearance, which came to Adam May. With a clear run on goal he looked to curl for the bottom corner but put his golden chance wide.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced Mohamed Elneny at the interval with Arsenal in need of greater cut and thrust. That instead came from Bestende Gomis, whose junking run around the area culminated in a blocked shot by Monreal.

Arsenal though were to rouse themselves on 54 minutes, finally rediscovering the electric interplay that can tear teams far better than Sutton to shreds. Walcott was on hand to tap home.

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Still Sutton refused to give up the ghost, May forcing Ospina into a save before skipper Jamie Collins headed just over from a corner. The exceptional Deacon cracked a 25-yarder against the crossbar. One wonders why Arsenal let him go, and how he has slipped out of the Football League.

Even the introduction of Sanchez on 73 minutes could not quell Sutton as they continued to battle with purpose. The goal their play so evidently merited was not to be found but it should take nothing away from their performance. In defeat they proved themselves worthy of the illustrious stage they occupied for one night only.

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