Mansfield v Arsenal live: Visitors survive scare thanks to Eze winner to keep dreams of quadruple alive

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The Independent

·7 March 2026

Mansfield v Arsenal live: Visitors survive scare thanks to Eze winner to keep dreams of quadruple alive

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Premier League leaders Arsenal were kept honest by League One side Mansfield Town in a gripping fifth round tie illustrating all the magic of the FA Cup.

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Mikel Arteta fielded a much-changed side from the one which beat Brighton in the top flight this week, and Mansfield took advantage, peppering Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goal and more than holding their own.

A fine strike by Noni Madueke put the visitors ahead shortly before half-time, but after the break Nigel Clough’s Mansfield levelled thanks to super-sub Will Evans, who only needed four minutes after coming off the bench to restore parity.

Evans had previously scored against Manchester United in the FA Cup for Newport and the competition brought out the best in him again.

But another substitute, Eberechi Eze, produced a stunning moment of individual quality to curl a powerful shot into the back of the net and restore Arsenal’s lead, with the Gunners - now playing in a more recognisable formation and with many of their best players brought in - keeping in front to book a place in the quarter-finals.

Pinned

Arsenal forced to call on big guns to see off spirited minnows Mansfield in FA Cup tie for the ages

Eberechi Eze’s previous FA Cup goal brought one of the famous old competition’s most treasured upsets in recent years. His next one may have prevented one of the greatest ever.

Eze remains on course to win the FA Cup in consecutive years with different clubs, just as Arsenal carry their quest for the quadruple still deeper into the season.

And yet it is not fanciful to imagine it could have been Mansfield Town in the quarter-finals, with another miracle shaped by a managerial Clough in the East Midlands. “You have that nagging feeling we could have nicked it,” said Nigel Clough.

Full report from Richard Jolly here:

Arsenal forced to call on big guns to see off Mansfield in FA Cup tie for the ages

Mansfield Town 1-2 Arsenal: The Premier League leaders were made to work hard for a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals but a superb Eberechi Eze goal made the difference

'A proper FA Cup game' - Mikel Arteta

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta tells TNT Sports: “It was a proper FA Cup game. Credit to Mansfield, the stadium, the atmosphere, the fans created a bit of banter. Great for them to keep pushing the team, They made it really difficult for us.

“You have to be much more ruthless in front of goal, we had four or five big open chances that we didn't convert. Then the margin is smaller and you give the opponent hope. We also made a mistake for the goal.

“But we had two 16-year-olds in the starting line-up, I don't think that's ever happened.

“Everybody feels involved. We have the desire that game by game we are closer to the things we can achieve.”

'I wanted to prove a point today' - Will Evans

Mansfield goalscorer Will Evans said: “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.

“Games come thick and fast. We are onto the next game. So you don't really have much time to take it all in. One day, I might just go through my old goals and enjoy them. But we’ve got a shift again on Tuesday night [against Reading].”

Flo Clifford7 March 2026 15:20

'The gaffer said "just have a go"' - Rhys Oates

Mansfield forward Rhys Oates tells TNT Sports: “Before the game the gaffer said 'Just have a go. We were not expected to win the game, so have a go and enjoy it'.

“We created more chances than we thought we could, and we have given them a game.

“I had a few chances. I feel like I could have put one away myself. The players they have got, they are going to make good interceptions. You just have to keep going.

“It was a dream come true. I said as a child I wanted to play for Arsenal or against Arsenal and I have managed to do that now.”