As Mansfield Town prepare to host Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup, let’s take a look at how both sides reached this stage of the competition.
Stags have already completed the sensational toppling of a Premier League side after they thwarted Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor. The giant-slaying result secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in more than 50 years.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have not yet faced a club above Championship level in the FA Cup this season, and they are still active in four tournaments as things stand.
Here’s a closer look at how both clubs made it to the fifth round and the players who scored the all-important goals to eliminate their opponents.
TOPSHOT - Mansfield Town's English midfielder #25 Louis Reed (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Burnley and Mansfield Town at Turf Moor in Burnley on February 14, 2026. (Photo by Paul Currie / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
TOPSHOT - Mansfield Town's English midfielder #25 Louis Reed (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Burnley and Mansfield Town at Turf Moor in Burnley on February 14, 2026. (Photo by Paul Currie / AFP via Getty Images)
Stags have needed to work hard to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup and all wins so far have been slim and dramatic. Their first victory over Harrogate Town ended 3-2 after the League Two side scored two equalisers to cancel out goals from Regan Hendry and George Maris. A late second goal for Maris ensured Stags progressed to the second round, where they needed penalties to beat Accrington Stanley.
After a thrilling 2-2 draw at the end of extra time, which included goals from Will Evans and Kyle McAdam, Stags won 3-1 in the penalty shootout.
The FA Cup third round cranked the pressure up as Mansfield were drawn against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. A hefty seven goals were crammed into 90 minutes and Stags led the charge 2-1 at half-time thanks to a Louis Reed brace. After the break, goals from Lucas Akins and Rhys Oates seemed to put the game well out of reach but it didn’t stop the Blades throwing everything at a comeback. Two goals in four minutes after the hour mark made for a nervy end to the match but Stags held firm to beat the Championship side 4-3.
Mansfield Town forward Lucas Akins (07) during the Emirates FA Cup first round match against Harrogate Town AFC at the One Call Stadium, 01 Nov2025, Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.mediaplaceholder image
Mansfield Town forward Lucas Akins (07) during the Emirates FA Cup first round match against Harrogate Town AFC at the One Call Stadium, 01 Nov2025, Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media
Mansfield Town really shook things up with their stunning win over Burnley on Valentine’s Day. Despite going 1-0 down early on in the clash, goals from Oates and Reed in the second half sent the Clarets tumbling out of the tournament and set Stags up for a lip-smacking meeting with record title holders Arsenal.
Arsenal route to FA Cup fifth round
Having joined the draw at the third round stage, Arsenal’s first opponents were Championship side Portsmouth. Mikel Arteta opted for a starting 11 featuring a bulk of first team names, including Brazilian duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli. The latter scored a hat-trick for the Gunners to cancel out Pompey’s surprise early opening goal.
Following their 4-1 win, Arsenal scored another four goals to beat Stags’ League One opponents Wigan Athletic in the fourth round. Arteta’s side wrapped up the afternoon inside half an hour, as goals from Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus and an own goal demolished the Latics.
Mansfield Town forward Rhys Oates (18) with goalkeeper Owen Mason (12) during the Emirates FA Cup second round match against Accrington Stanley FC at The Wham Stadium, 06 Dec 2025, Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.mediaplaceholder image
Mansfield Town forward Rhys Oates (18) with goalkeeper Owen Mason (12) during the Emirates FA Cup second round match against Accrington Stanley FC at The Wham Stadium, 06 Dec 2025, Photo credit Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media
Arsenal fielded another strong side to face Wigan, starting players like Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze in attack. Based on how Arteta has fielded his teams in the FA Cup so far, Stags fans could see some of Arsenal’s best players take to the pitch at the One Call Stadium this weekend.