A goal in each half from Theo Walcott and Lucas Perez gave Arsenal a 2-0 FA Cup win over non-league minnows Sutton United on Monday night.
Walcott, bagged his 100th goal for the Gunners in addition to Perez’s opener as Arsene Wenger’s men returned to winning ways following their 5-1 spanking by Bayern Munich last week to set up a quarterfinal clash with another non-league team, Lincoln City at the Emirates.
It was certainly no disgrace for the 17th placed fifth tier side, whose 5 000-capacity Gander Green Lane ground was full to bursting with fans in yellow Sutton T-shirts, hats and scarves.
Wenger made seven changes to the team blitzed at Bayern in the Champions League, with only goalkeeper David Ospina, Shkodran Mustafi, Granit Xhaka and Alex Iwobi retaining their places.
After Mohamed Elneny’s effort sailed over the bar in the opening minutes, the Gunners went ahead through Spanish striker Perez to silence the vociferous home fans.
Cutting in from the right flank, Perez swapped passes with Xhaka and then cut in onto his left foot before sending in a low cross/shot that found the bottom-left corner.
The Gunners controlled proceedings in the following minutes with Nacho Monreal drawing a strong save from Sutton goalkeeper Ross Worner and both Walcott and Alex Iwobi going close to doubling their lead.
Sutton had a number of half-chances as Arsenal became lax at the back, but in the 55th minute the Premier League side got the insurance goal when Monreal’s low cross from the left was turned in from close range by Walcott for his Arsenal century.
The hosts made a match of it from then on, with an effort off the bar and a decent save from Ospina, and when the dreaded Alexis Sanchez came on for Iwobi late on, the fans chanted “Who are ya?” their sense of mischief unmistakable.
