Mansfield Town oversaw another giant killing in this seasons FA Cup when two second half goals saw the League One side dispatch Premier League Burnley to make it into the fifth round of the competition.
Their journey to this stage has required a big win away at Burnley coupled by besting Championship side Sheffield United 4-3, Accrington Stanley on penalties and Harrogate Town 3-2 respectively. They now face the daunting prospect of taking on the competition favourites and Premier league leaders Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side have bested Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic in the competition so far, with a combined aggregate of 8-1. The Gunners are looking to secure their first piece of silverware since they won the competition back in 2020.
Mansfield will need to look towards the talents of Louis Reed, whose stunning free-kick against the Clarets last time out was awarded the goal of the fourth round. Reed also has three goals in the competition so far putting him among the top scorers.
Mansfield currently sit 16th in League One, three places ahead of Arsenal’s last round opponents Wigan Athletic. Nigel Clough’s side have a domestic record of 10 wins, 11 draws and 12 defeats including three defeats in their last five league games. Their last game was a goalless outing against Rotherham which saw the Stags fail to climb into the top half of the table.
Arsenal are on the march to complete a historic quadruple and have continued their stride in the Premier League after beating Brighton and Chelsea to compliment a massive win over North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, where the Gunners ran out 4-1 winners. Arteta’s side currently sit seven points ahead of second placed Man City. Despite the Citizens having a game in had advantage it is looking more likely than ever that Arsenal will take home their first Premier League title since 2004.
Ahead of his side facing Arsenal, Clough has stated his excitement of coming head to head against another strong squad. Speaking in preview of Saturdays fixture, Clough said ”When you see the tie on paper, it looks pretty special. It’s sort of what the FA cup is all about.” Nigel will face Arsenal for the first time as a manager, but he does have history with this tie specifically in the FA Cup. His father Brian Clough managed his final ever FA Cup game against Arsenal back in 1993 before retiring after 18 years at Nottingham Forest, a game Nigel played in.
Nigel is looking to create his own history as a manager however, this is the furthest Mansfield Town have got in the competition since the 70s but it will now require one of the all time great shocks to best that record.
Arsenal have won the competition more times than any other side with 14 titles and Arteta will be desperate to end his sides trophy hoodoo and take home a record 15th FA Cup.
The game will take place on Saturday 7th of March and kick-off is scheduled for 12:30pm (UK time.)