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Arsenal narrowly avoided an upset to secure their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals, edging out Mansfield Town thanks to a crucial goal from Eberechi Eze.
As the Premier League frontrunners faced a formidable challenge from the League One team, it was the substitutes who made a significant impact in this tense fifth-round clash.
Madueke breaks the deadlock
Despite dominating possession, Arsenal found it difficult to establish control early on. The home team created several promising opportunities, repeatedly testing Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The deadlock was broken just before the break when Noni Madueke delivered a stunning strike, finding the top corner from the edge of the box after receiving a well-placed pass from Gabriel Martinelli.
Earlier in the match, Madueke forced a save from Mansfield’s goalkeeper, Liam Roberts.
Mansfield hit back
Mikel Arteta handed opportunities to two teenagers, including 16-year-old Max Dowman, who became the youngest player to start an FA Cup match for Arsenal at 16 years and 66 days old.
Another youngster, Marli Salmon, was involved in Mansfield’s equaliser when his pass toward Cristhian Mosquera fell short, allowing substitute Will Evans to finish confidently past Arrizabalaga.
Mansfield continued to threaten, with Rhys Oates and Louis Reed forcing saves while Tyler Roberts fired narrowly wide during an impressive spell from the underdogs.
Eze settles the tie
With the contest finely balanced, Arteta turned to his bench by introducing Eze and Jurrien Timber in search of control.
The change proved decisive in the 66th minute when Eze unleashed a powerful strike high into the net to restore Arsenal’s lead and ultimately secure progression.
The victory sends Arsenal into the final eight of the competition and keeps alive the prospect of a historic quadruple, while marking the club’s first FA Cup quarter-final appearance since lifting the trophy in 2020.