Arsenal survive Mansfield Town scare to reach FA Cup quarter-finals with 2-1 win

LONDON – Arsenal survived a scare to beat third-tier Mansfield Town 2-1 in “a difficult environment” at Field Mill on March 7 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, staying on track for a historic quadruple.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports: “It was a proper FA Cup game and credit to Mansfield, the stadium and the atmosphere the fans created there was a bit of banter.

“They made it really difficult for us... you have to be more ruthless in front of goal than we were today.”

Arteta made nine changes to the side that beat Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 in midweek to open up a seven-point lead at the top of the English Premier League.

Noni Madueke put the 14-time FA Cup winners ahead against the League One strugglers shortly before half-time, only for substitute Will Evans to level shortly after the break.

Evans told TNT Sports: “I wanted to prove a point today – not just to the team but to myself as well.

“It’s typical isn’t it, for me to have a league goal drought and then come on for a half against Arsenal and have a goal against them.”

The game opened up, with chances for both sides before substitute Eberechi Eze thumped home to restore Arsenal’s lead.

Said Eze: “It was a difficult environment to play in. But we did what we had to do and we are through to next round which is the important thing...

“We are working hard and doing everything we can to win all the silverware on offer.”

Max Dowman became the Gunners’ youngest-ever FA Cup player, starting at 16 years and 66 days. There was also a starting place for 16-year-old Marli Salmon as Arteta shuffled his resources.

Said Arteta: “We have two 16-year-olds in the starting line-up, which I don’t think has ever happened, and I am very proud of them.”

Arsenal enjoyed the bulk of the early possession but Nigel Clough’s men, who had beaten Premier League strugglers Burnley in the previous round, came alive after about 10 minutes, creating a number of chances.

Rhys Oates was a constant threat while Tyler Roberts flashed narrowly wide from distance.

Oates said: “The gaffer said just have a go. That’s what we’ve done today from minute one.

“We had more changes than we thought we would.

“They scored two rockets and (we) couldn’t do much about that. You can’t fault the lads’ work rate.”

But Arsenal kept their opponents at bay and took the lead in the 41st minute through winger Madueke – becoming the first Premier League team to reach 100 goals in all competitions this season.

Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts did well to save Madueke’s original shot, but Gabriel Martinelli picked up the ball on the left and once again found the England winger on the edge of the box.

This time Madueke gave Roberts no chance, sending a curling left-footed shot arrowing past him.

Mansfield were level shortly after the restart when Evans made Salmon pay for a sloppy pass, keeping his nerve to beat Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Both teams had further chances in an entertaining spell but Eze, who had been on only a few minutes, smashed home from the edge of the box to put Arsenal back in front in the 66th minute.

Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph in 2020, in Arteta’s first season at the helm, remains the Spaniard’s only major trophy during his time in charge at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are hot favourites to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004 – seven points clear of Manchester City with just eight games to play.

They take on Bayer Leverkusen in their two-legged Champions League last-16 tie on March 11 and 17. They also have the League Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on March 22.

Said former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman on TNT Sports: “I think Arsenal will win two trophies this season – the league and a domestic cup.” AFP