Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that he could not afford to select a ‘light team’ following their 2-0 victory over Sutton United in the fa cup on Monday.

The Gunners progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition through goals by forwards Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott, who scored his 100th goal for the club.

The London side are now set to take on Non-league side Lincoln City in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

The 67-year-old manager admits that he fielded a strong squad to face the Yellows in order to secure their progression into the next round of the tournament or risk getting eliminated.

‘Of course, we could not afford a light team selection tonight and that is why I came with basically all the players who were available because we couldn’t afford to go out tonight, we can never afford it,’ Wenger told the Arsenal website.

Wenger has praised striker Perez after getting on the scoresheet and he admits that the Spanish international deserves more playing time following his performance.

‘Yes, he is pushing on the door but I have many strikers. I have Giroud, Welbeck, Walcott, Alexis and Lucas. It is true that he deserves a go because he scores goals and is a good player.’

Arsenal will now turn their attention back to the Premier League when they take on Southampton on Saturday.

The match at St Mary’s Stadium kicks off at 17:00.