Sutton United 0-2 Arsenal (FA Cup 5th Round)

Premier League vs non-league. Champions League regulars against National League relegation battlers. A gap of 105 league places between the two sides. This is Sutton United vs Arsenal. They couldn't be further apart in terms of stature and league position but amazingly these two sides will contest a 5th round FA Cup tie. The prize? A place in the quarter-finals against Lincoln City.

Remarkably, Sutton aren't even performing too well in their league. They find themselves in 17th place in the National League with 36 points, only 6 points above the relegation zone. But with Roarie Deacon in fine form and Nicky Bailey and Craig Eastmond forming a football league quality partnership in the centre of midfield, Sutton have been performing miracles in the FA Cup. Thus far The U's' have come through 5 rounds to get here, disposing of Forest Green, Dartford, Cheltenham, AFC Wimbledon and Leeds. Although this is an impressive list of scalps for a team of Sutton's stature; Arsenal will undoubtedly be their toughest test yet. Even despite Arsenal going through a rough patch of form, you would have to expect that they would easily sweep aside the non-league challengers with a comfortable victory.

Pundits' Match Predictions: (1 point for correct winner and 1 point for correct result)

Luke Marsh (Manchester United fan): 2-1 to Sutton, I'm going for the giant killing.

James Rolt (Chelsea fan): Prediction: 3-0 Arsenal, once the first goal goes in it's all over for the national league minnows.

James Kaye (Arsenal fan): 4-0 Arsenal, but the inevitable 2 or 3 Arsenal injuries, Lucas with a goal or two.

James Stroud (Charlton fan): 2-0, Sutton will make it tough, but Arsenal's quality will be too much for the non-league side as they edge a nervy encounter

David Stroud (Chelsea fan): 3-0 Arsenal, Iwobi will score for the visitors

Jordan Parslow (Manchester United): 3-1 Arsenal

As mentioned before in the preceding article, Lincoln made history as they became the first non-league side to reach the quarter finals of the FA Cup since the new format was adopted in 1925. Can Sutton pull off a miracle and make it two non-league sides in the last 8?

The teams lined up as follows:

Sutton: Worner, Amankwaah, Downer, Collins, Beckwith, Deacon, Bailey, Eastmond, May, Gomis, Biamou

Subs: Shaw, John, Spence, Hudson-Odoi, Monakana, Fitchett, Tubbs

Arsenal: Ospina, Gabriel, Mustafi, Holding, Monreal, Elneny, Xhaka, Lucas, Reine-Adelaide, Iwobi, Walcott

Subs: Martinez, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Maitland-Niles, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez

Many would have expected Arsenal to assert their dominance immediately following the kick-off but this was not the case. Although they had much of the possession in the opening 15 minutes, they could not create any meaningful goal-scoring opportunities and were struggling to register a shot on the Sutton goal.

As you would expect, Sutton were adopting a very defensive strategy and were content with the away team having the vast majority of possession. Nevertheless, they were very solid tactically and were making it extremely difficult for Arsenal to create any chances in front of goal.

It took 16 minutes for Arsenal to finally break through the Sutton back line, but first Reine-Adelaide's cross-shot was cleared before Elneny fired way over the crossbar.

Just a minute later Eastmond fell to the ground in the Arsenal box and appealed for a penalty, but Michael Oliver waved away his claims. In truth it did not look like there was much contact and it would have been very harsh on Arsenal if it had been given.

Sutton had not read the script and were causing problems for their Premier League opponents. Their most dangerous player and former Arsenal man, Roarie Deacon, was looking a menacing presence in midfield and did well to manoeuvre into crossing positions a number of times; but his final product was often lacking at the vital moments.

Although they had failed to create anything it was the Premier League outfit who took the lead. Lucas Perez did well to keep the ball ifrom going out of play, and his cross-shot eluded everyone in the box before nestling in the bottom corner. (0-1)

Despite a very good opening 28 minutes for Sutton, it looked like that the floodgates had opened with that goal. Monreal found himself in the box with a great opportunity, but his shot was saved well by Worner. Shortly after Walcott embarked on a positive run, but his drive lacked the accuracy necessary to test the Sutton goalkeeper.

After that few minutes of madness, Sutton had regained composure and regained their shape. They were nearly undone after Arsenal broke from a Sutton corner, but Iwobi's shot fell narrowly wide following a slight deflection from a Sutton defender.

But Sutton would not lie down and they were gifted a golden opportunity to level the scores just before the break. Ospina despicably passed straight to the feet of May, but he could not compose himself and his shot was sliced harmlessly wide.

That is how the half finished, and the scores could easily have been level had May not spurned a golden opportunity just before the break. Nevertheless, Sutton will be extremely pleased with their first half performance and had done well to limit Arsenal to just a handful of chances.

Although Arsene Wenger decided to field a much weakened side in the fixture, many would have expected them to steamroll their opponents. However, proceedings had not gone entirely to plan and Arsenal were struggling to assert their dominance in the game. Despite leading at the break, they had to be wary of the threat that Sutton posed as just one lapse of concentration at the back and Sutton would suddenly be back in the game. 

The dream was still well and truly alive for Sutton and they had 45 minutes to make their dreams a reality...

There was one change at half time for the away side as Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced Elneny in an injury induced change.

Sutton were still showing the fight necessary to get back in the game. A moment of magic from Gomis opened up space for a shooting opportunity, but his goal-bound shot was blocked before it could test Ospina.

But Sutton's dreams were crushed moments later as Arsenal doubled their advantage. A wonderful passing move involving Lucas, Iwobi and Monreal allowed Walcott to tap in from close range at the back post. (0-2)

At 2 goals down Sutton now had a mountain to climb. They showed signs of life as May cut the ball back for Biamou, but his shot from inside the box was straight at Ospina.

Amazingly, Sutton were building a bit of momentum and could have cut the deficit to just 1 goal. Roarie Deacon showed trickery to beat his man down the left, but his dangerous cross was well defended by Monreal. From the resulting corner Collins towered above Ospina in the air, but he could not keep his effort on target.

At the other end Lucas Perez showed good skill to get to the byline, but Amankwaah did well to cut out his cross. Minutes later Perez again sent in a dangerous cross, but this time Downer was well placed to intercept.

With 25 minutes to go it seemed as if Sutton were down and out. Roarie Deacon had been Sutton's most dangerous player all night, but his final product was often lacking. This time he managed to get it right as he unleashed an unstoppable effort from 20 yards, but he was forced to look on in despair as his brilliant effort crashed off the crossbar.

Sutton were beginning to push men forward as they looked to cut the deficit, but they were leaving space for Arsenal to exploit at the back. Oxlade-Chamberlain turned on the after burners as he raced past Collins, but his cross failed to find Walcott in the box. 

A few more chances came and went for Arsenal as they looked to score a third goal. Oxlade-Chamberlain's curling effort was well saved by Worner when destined for the bottom corner, before Sanchez's audacious lob floated harmlessly over the bar.

But Sutton would not lie down and the decision to introduce Hudson-Adoi to the action nearly proved to be rewarding for Paul Doswell. The Ghanaian showed great pace down the left wing to get a yard of space, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.

Each and every Sutton player had given absolutely everything in this game and they were beginning to feel the effects with minutes to go. Their efforts were epitomised by the unfortunate Downer, who with 5 minutes to go collapsed under the crippling effects of cramp. 

Arsenal had a few more chances to wrap up the victory but could not find a way through the heroic back line of Sutton. So that is how the game finished, and with that result Sutton's magnificent cup run had finally come to an end. 

Sutton showed great fight throughout the game and although they were not the better team in terms of quality, they had not been completely outclassed and were unlucky to come away from the tie without a goal. Each and every player in yellow will be proud of their efforts and they could take away fond memories from the game despite the loss.

Arsenal on the other hand would be pleased with the victory and would be relieved that they were able to overcome a spirited Sutton United side. Their reward for winning the match will be a quarter final tie against Lincoln City, where again they will be looking to avoid being on the wrong end of a cup upset.

Player Ratings:

Sutton: Worner(6) Amankwaah(6) Downer(7) Collins(7) Beckwith(6) Deacon(8) Bailey(6) Eastmond(7) May(6) Gomis(7) Biamou(6)

Subs: Spence(6) Hudson-Adoi(6) Fitchett(6)

Arsenal: Ospina(6) Gabriel(6) Mustafi(7) Holding(7) Monreal(7) Elneny(6) Xhaka(6) Lucas(7) Reine-Adelaide(6) Iwobi(6) Walcott(7)

Subs: Oxlade-Chamberlain(7) Maitland-Niles(6) Sanchez(6)

Man of the Match: Roarie Deacon

Honourable mention: Lucas Perez