FA Cup action went live on Monday night between Sutton United and Arsenal when the Gunners ended the FA cup journey for Sutton United with a 2-0 victory after struggling to get going at the Sutton's artificial pitch stadium. Monday night also saw Theo Walcott scoring his 100th goal in an Arsenal shirt.
The Encounter: First 45 minutes
Arsenal gained control in the early minutes of the encounter, thanks to Mohammed Elneny shot which they managed to register their first attempt of the match.
Sutton United gradually began to dominate some parts of the game, but in the 27' Perez scored the opener for Arsenal as he found the bottom corner.
Moments after, Theo Walcott made an impressive attempt on goal by shooting a couple of long range shots over the crossbar. However, the Nigerian International Alex Iwobi also wasted a chance inside the Sutton's penalty box with his powerful drive being deflected.
In the last minutes before the end of the first half, Arsenal goalie David Ospina made a mistake which could have resulted in Sutton United forward Adam May leveling the score line for the home team just before the break.
Second 45 minutes
At the commencement of the second half, Sutton United displayed some massive resilience at the Arsenal half, but the Gunners resisted Sutton United offensive but at the 52' Arsenal regained control of the game with the poor effect of the artificial pitch which affected their passes and pace.
In the 55th minute, Arsenal doubled the lead thanks to a Theo Walcott effort assisted by Monreal low cross which was deflected. Sutton had chances to convert in the 60' as Collins missed a clear chance to stage a come back but sent the ball over the crossbar, it was really a huge miss for the home side.
In the 81' Oxlade Chamberlain had the best chance to make it three as he powerfully drive a shot from 14 yards finding the corner but went far wide.
Although at the last minutes Sutton United mounted offensives to find the consolation goal until the final whistle of the game was blown.
For Sutton United it was a big test for them playing with a more formidable and star studded team like Arsenal. Following their elimination from the FA Cup they will need to stay focus in the National League which is the English 5th tier football pyramid.
