Rhys Oates has said Mansfield Town will tackle whatever Arsenal team will be waiting for them in the FA Cup this weekend.
Mikel Arteta has the luxury of choosing from a well-stacked squad for his starting 11 to face Stags at the One Call Stadium on Saturday. Statistically, the Gunners have the strongest attack and defence in the Premier League this season, with the most goals scored and least conceded up to this point.
Arsenal thwarted Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic in their previous FA Cup meetings, scoring eight goals across the two fixtures. International superstars including Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli started both games, with the latter responsible for four of the goals scored. The likes of Bukayo Saka and summer signings Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres also featured.
Based on Arteta’s chosen FA Cup line-ups so far and the sheer depth of his squad, there’s a high chance the Arsenal manager will deploy several first team players against Stags this weekend. Oates is ready to face any starting 11 the Spanish coach might throw at Mansfield Town and has admitted that the stronger the side, the better.
Rhys Oates of Mansfield Town during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sheffield United and Mansfield Town on January 11, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)placeholder image
Rhys Oates of Mansfield Town during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sheffield United and Mansfield Town on January 11, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
“It’s the best way for me, I think when you play against teams like this, you want to play against their best players. Even if they rotate, their second 11 is still probably top five or top six in the Premier League. So whether he rotates or not, you’re going to be playing against some of the top players in the world and you’ve just got to relish it and try to prove yourself against those players.”
Oates, who has scored six League One goals so far this season and netted against both Sheffield United and Burnley in the FA Cup, believes it’s a compliment when rival managers start first team players against clubs lower in the pyramid during Cup competitions.
“I think he knows how tough it is in any competition that he’s in and any team he’s playing against. Teams aren’t going to just roll over and let them win, so he’s going to put out what he feels is his strongest team that can win the game and we will deal with that however it comes and put 100 percent effort in.
“But don’t get us wrong, we are wanting to win the game and go out there and show what we can do.”
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