Sutton sure of hosting Arsenal in FA Cup

Sutton United are confident that they will be able to host Premier League giants Arsenal at their 5,000-capacity Gander Green Lane home in the FA Cup fifth round.

National League side Sutton have beaten the Football League's Cheltenham Town, AFC Wimbledon and Leeds United on a fairytale run into the last 16 of the competition.

A truly remarkable tie awaits them, with Arsenal - the FA Cup's joint-most successful team with 12 trophy wins - drawn away to Paul Doswell's men.

Sutton play on an artificial pitch, in a ground 12 times smaller than the Gunners' Emirates Stadium.

Reports had suggested that Selhurst Park - roughly eight miles away across south London - could host the game, but Sutton chairman Bruce Elliott wants to invite Arsene Wenger's stars to Gander Green Lane.

He told BBC Radio London: "We would only do that for safety reasons. The FA are very keen to play the game at Sutton.

"We have proven we can have a full house and the police have been very happy. 

"We have every intention of the game going ahead at Sutton because that is what the FA Cup is all about."

The tie will be played over the weekend of 17-20 of February.