No fairytale ending for Sutton against Arsenal
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On Monday night National League side Sutton United host Premier League giants Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The home side will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow National League side Lincoln City and make it to the quarter-finals of the famous old cup. Lincoln 1-0 winning at Burnley may have been a surprise, but Sutton beating Arsenal would be a major shock.
Sutton are currently 17th in the National League after three consecutive league defeats. In fact, the home side’s last victory came in the fourth round of this competition when they dispatched Championship Leeds United 1-0, having failed to win in their last four games since that win.
The fact that Paul Doswell’s side have failed to score in three of their last four outings will also be a concern. However, the FA Cup has brought the best out of Sutton this season and they will be determined to put in a good performance against the visiting Gunners.
Arsenal and boss Arsene Wenger have not experienced a great week, as the north London side were hammered 5-1 by German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League lat-16 in midweek. The defeat has led to further speculation over the future of Wenger at the north London club.
The defeat in Munich means that the Gunners have lost three of their last four games in all competitions, with their only win coming against relegation-threatened Hull City.
Wherever Arsenal goes goals follow, with over 2.5 goals scored in eight of the Gunners last nine outings they certainly offer value for money in the entertainment stakes.
Arsene Wenger has always rotated his starting line-ups for cup games and this game is unlikely to be any different. However, the veteran Frenchman is likely to select a relatively strong side in this clash, as the Gunners really cannot afford another damaging defeat.
I cannot see the Premier League visitors slipping up in this clash, as the FA Cup is now their only hope of silverware this season and they should record a win in this clash.
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