Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to kick off during the Emirates FA Cup fifth round match Mansfield Town vs Arsenal at One Call Stadium, Mansfield, United Kingdom on 07 March 2026 (Photo by Maynard Manyowa/News Images)
Arsenal made big changes to their starting XI for the game against Mansfield(Photo by Maynard Manyowa/News Images)
Mikel Arteta rung the changes for Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Mansfield with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi not included in the match day squd.
The Gunners have arrived at the business end of the season still in contention to win four trophies and were odds-on favourites to progress to the quarter finals of the FA Cup at the expense of League One opposition.
Arsenal enhanced their position at the top of the table on Wednesday evening following a hard-fought 1-0 win at Brighton.
Following the physical effort it took to overcome the Seagulls and, with a mind to their midweek Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen,Arteta opted to make nine changes to his starting XI.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️🆕 Salmon makes first start👏 Dowman becomes our youngest-ever FA Cup player©️ Jesus skippers the sideLet's book our spot in the next round, Gunners ✊🤝 Presented by @deel
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 7, 2026
Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Martinelli were the only players to retain their places in the starting XI, while teenagers Max Dowman and Marli Salmon were handed starts.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were also in from the start while there was plenty of firepower on the bench in the shape of Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.
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