Lucas Perez happy to be finding his feet with Arsenal

Theo Walcott scored his 100th Arsenal goal as Arsene Wenger’s side ended non-league minnows Sutton United’s FA Cup fairytale with a 2-0 victory in the FA Cup on Monday. There was no hint of a giant-killing as the Gunners emerged with barely a scratch against the non-league outfit who never threatened to pull off one of the greatest shocks in the tournament’s history.

Sutton will have homefield advantage to help their cause, and there’s one more thing that could give them a huge boost in this match – Arsenal’s form.

“It is a big occasion, especially as I played for them for a long period of time”.

Sutton are 17th in the National League, 104 places below Arsenal in English football’s league pyramid.

As we mentioned, Perez netted the opening goal, which was one of three shots he took at goal, while he also completed three dribbles on Sutton’s much talked about 3G pitch.

Concerns over the potential for such an influential player to pick up an injury on Sutton’s artificial pitch were exacerbated after midfielder Mohamed Elneny was forced off at half-time having sustained a knock while turning awkwardly.

He confirmed at his press conference on Friday morning that he would make a firm decision on his position next month or in April, but was keen to stress that, whether or not he stays on at Arsenal, this season will not be his last in management.

Sutton had a great chance to equalizer before halftime, but Adam May’s chance was pulled wide of the mark after a terrible giveaway from Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina in his own third.

For Sutton manager Paul Doswell – whose nine-to-five job is in the construction industry – all that remains this season is to avoid relegation.

Arsene Wenger is not likely to silence his doubters just by winning another FA Cup, former Arsenal star Alan Smith has warned. Wenger has (at present) a fully-fit selection of forwards to choose from, so players lacking game time – such as Lucas Perez, 28, and Danny Welbeck, 23, – will be expected to lead the line.

“It is putting Sutton on the map again – the whole of Sutton will be behind them, supporting them”.

“It would be another tough ask for us, but we’d go there without any fear and I think we probably deserve that kind of day out”.

But there could be complications over the staging of quarter-finals in the capital given that March 10-13, when the ties are scheduled, follows midweek Europa League games.