Premier League leaders Arsenal had to call upon their first-team regulars to see off a spirited Mansfield side 2-1 at Field Mill and reach the FA Cup quarter finals.
Noni Madueke lashed into the top right corner after the Stags had made a competitive start, and the hosts were duly rewarded as Will Evans latched on to a poor pass deep in Gunners territory and fired past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
With both teams searching for a second, Eberechi Eze blasted what would prove to be the winner into the top right corner, to deny Nigel Clough’s side another upset in their bid for a first FA Cup since 2020.
As it happened
Teenage sensation Max Dowman almost opened the scoring four minutes in when goalkeeper Liam Roberts gifted him the ball with a sloppy pass, but he made up for it by saving with his feet to keep out the 16-year-old.
Fueled by their shock win over Burnley in round four, the hosts were playing without fear and tested Kepa for the first time as Tyler Roberts attempted a chip from the edge of the box which the Spaniard caught.
But two huge chances then went amiss, as veteran striker Rhys Oates got the better of Cristian Mosquera and cut it back from the byline towards Lewis Reed.
His shot was saved, but Oates picked up the pieces after the Gunners gave the ball away and saw his curling effort deflect not far wide of goal in what was proving to be an uncomfortable 15 minutes for the Premier League leaders.
Those nerves were nearly settled when Madueke’s corner from the right struck the post just before the half-hour mark, with Dowman failing to test Roberts with a weak effort after sparking a counter attack.
Oates was enjoying his time up top and was Mansfield’s focal point in attack, showing great strength in reaching the byline on the right and managing to get the low cross in only for Kepa to secure it in his gloves.
Mikel Arteta was forced into an early change as Leandro Trossard hobbled off injured, bringing on Piero Hincapié as his replacement – the silver lining being Arsenal could return to a more familiar back four shape.
Indeed, Madueke could focus more on his attacking duties and wasn’t to be denied after Roberts parried his initial shot from 20 yards out, arrowing a great effort into the top right after Gabriel Martinelli found him still in space.
It was a goal worthy of being the Gunners’ 100th in all competitions this season, becoming the first Premier League club to pass the century mark – joining the company of Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona.
Arsenal were unbeaten since December 2023 when scoring first on the road, but this record would look far from safe merely minutes into the second half when substitute Will Evans fired home the equalizer under Kepa.
It was a poor pass back towards Mosquera by 16-year-old centre-back Marli Salmon, and the young prospect was punished by Evans – formerly a farmer in Wales before transitioning to professional football.
Mansfield met the Gunners’ push for a second head on, quite literally as Kyle Knoyle was on hand to head a half-saved effort towards goal by Gabriel Jesus off the line after Max Dowman squared the ball back across goal.
But after calling more Premier League firepower off the bench in the form of attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze, the 27-year-old turned towards goal after Christian Noregaard picked him out and lashed a piledriver into the net.
Manfsield may have been unable to haul themselves level for a second time, but they left the field lapping up applause from the home end after a great performance against a side still within reach of a historic quadruple.
More to follow.