Arsenal Overcome Mansfield Test to Advance in FA Cup and Keep Quadruple Bid On Track

Arsenal F.C. avoided a major upset on Saturday as they defeated Mansfield Town F.C. 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and remain in contention for a historic quadruple.

Manager Mikel Arteta heavily rotated his squad, making nine changes to the team that beat Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 1-0 earlier in the week to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal took the lead shortly before the break when Noni Madueke found the net against the League One strugglers.

But Mansfield substitute Will Evans struck soon after half-time, capitalising on a mistake to level the match.

The game became more open as both teams pushed forward, but Arsenal regained the advantage when substitute Eberechi Eze fired home from the edge of the penalty area in the 66th minute.

The match also saw history made as 16-year-old Max Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest FA Cup player at 16 years and 66 days. Fellow teenager Marli Salmon also started as Arteta rotated his lineup.

Despite controlling much of the possession early on, Arsenal faced a spirited challenge from Nigel Clough’s Mansfield side, which had previously knocked out Burnley F.C..

Rhys Oates caused problems throughout the match, while Tyler Roberts narrowly missed from distance.

Madueke’s opener in the 41st minute came after Gabriel Martinelli recovered the ball and set him up following an initial save by goalkeeper Liam Roberts. The winger curled a precise left-footed shot into the net.

Mansfield’s equaliser came shortly after the restart when Evans took advantage of a sloppy pass from Salmon and beat Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Eze’s powerful strike later restored Arsenal’s lead, and although the Gunners were never completely comfortable, they held on to secure progression.

Arsenal’s last FA Cup title came in 2020 during Arteta’s first season at the club — still the Spaniard’s only major trophy with the team.

They are now favourites to lift the Premier League title for the first time since 2004, sitting seven points ahead of Manchester City F.C. with eight matches left.

Arsenal will next face Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, before meeting Manchester City in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on March 22.

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