Arteta hails “proper FA Cup game” as Arsenal edge past League Two Mansfield | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed the “proper FA Cup game” League Two Mansfield gave them as the Premier League leaders edged into the quarter finals.

Eberechi Eze came off the bench to deliver the killing blow, firing a rocket into the top right corner from the edge of the box as the Gunners beat the Stags 2-1 at Field Mill after Will Evans’ powerful equalizer.

The 27-year-old’s strike ensured his side remain in with a chance of a historic quadruple that Pep Guardiola was unable to achieve at the peak of his powers at Manchester City, with Arteta crediting the League Two side’s effort.

He said: “It was a proper FA Cup game, credit to Mansfield – the stadium, the atmosphere that the fans created. They made it really difficult for us.

“You have to be much more ruthless than we were today because we had four or five big, open chances that we didn’t convert.

“Obviously, we made a mistake on the goal as well that cost us the momentum and the belief for them. But, overall, happy with the performance, we had two 16-year-olds in the starting lineup and I’m very proud of them.”

Noni Madueke opened the scoring for the Gunners with an accurate finish into the top right after his initial effort on goal was parried by Liam Roberts, but a mistake by youngster Marli Salmon gifted Evans the chance to score.

Mansfield put up a good fight and at one point had more shots on goal than Arsenal in the first half, with veteran striker Rhys Oates coming close on several occasions – finding space in the channels behind the wingers.

The Spaniard didn’t stop short of lauding Nigel Clough’s team, who are 16th in the fourth tier, assuring Arsenal have the ambition required to challenge for a first FA Cup trophy since 2020.

“We have all the desire that, game by game, we can start to be a little bit closer to the things we can achieve”, Artete added.

Arteta’s attention will now turn to his trip to Germany to face former Bundesliga champions and invincibles Bayer Leverkusen in their round of 16 first leg tie on Wednesday, before they host Everton next weekend.