Arsenal survived a huge scare to progress away against Mansfield in the fifth round of the FA Cup but were left counting the cost of two nightmare injuries.
Mikel Arteta's men remain on track in their bid to win an unprecedented Quadruple, which would include ending a 22-year Premier League title drought. But they will likely travel away to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany next Wednesday without key forward Leandro Trossard, after he was forced off injured in the first half of a pulsating cup tie at Field Mill in Nottinghamshire, and defender Riccardo Calafiori, who went down in the second 45.
The Gunners found themselves on the back foot for most of the first half against Nigel Clough's League One side. Arteta had opted for a back three who were repeatedly tested by the spirited Stags, until Trossard pulled up unchallenged and was replaced by defender Piero Hincapie in the 37th minute, prompting a switch in formation to a back four, with Christian Norgaard shifting into midfield. Moments later, Arsenal broke the deadlock.
Leandro Trossard goes down injured in Arsenal's FA Cup clash with Mansfield Town
Leandro Trossard goes down injured in Arsenal's FA Cup clash with Mansfield Town
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Noni Madueke forced a save from Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts, who parried the ball away, only for it to be played back to the England winger, who fired an unstoppable curling effort from the edge of the box to make it 1-0 in the 41st minute.
Yet when play resumed after the break, the hosts didn't take long to respond, sparking wild scenes in the stands. A mistake in the 51st minute by Arsenal's 16-year-old defender Marli Salmon saw him lose his balance when passing into the centre of the pitch to team-mate Cristhian Mosquera.
Mansfield striker Will Evans, who had replaced Tyler Roberts just four minutes earlier, pounced on the loose ball, outpaced Mosquera and fired low and hard under Arsena's second choice stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Noni Madueke opened the scoring for Arsenal against Mansfield in the FA Cup
Noni Madueke opened the scoring for Arsenal against Mansfield in the FA Cup (Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Will Evans of Mansfield Town celebrates scoring to make it 1-1 versus Arsenal
Will Evans of Mansfield Town celebrates scoring to make it 1-1 versus Arsenal (Image: Matt West/Shutterstock)
In a double substitution, Arteta turned to Jurrien Timber to replace Salmon, and Eberechi Eze for the ineffective Kai Havertz.
It was an inspired change, as the Gunners' North London derby hero Eze proved his worth again with a fine goal to restore the lead for the visitors - another rocket from distance.
Mansfield had just survived a chaotic goalmouth scramble, as teen Arsenal ace Max Dowman found Gabriel Jesus, who looked certain to score, only for Roberts in net to somehow get something on the strike and Kyle Knoyle head the ball off the line. But those heroics were undone when Eze smashed the ball into the net in the 66th minute.
Eberechi Eze scored a stunning second goal for Arsenal against Mansfield
Eberechi Eze scored a stunning second goal for Arsenal against Mansfield (Image: Getty Images)
The home side continued to press for an equaliser and Arsenal were forced into another change. This time it was Italian star Calafiori who hit the turf and limped off, with 18-year-old Jaden Dixon taking his place, while Bukayo Saka replaced Dowman.
Saka came close to scoring a third, only to be denied by a great save from Roberts. Huge credit has to go to Mansfield for pushing the Premier League leaders all the way until the final whistle.
Arsenal's growing injury crisis will be a major concern for their Spanish coach, with club captain and midfield creator Martin Odegaard already out with a knee injury, talismanic defender William Saliba suffering from a foot injury, midfield star Mikel Merino out for the season after surgery on his ankle, and fullback Ben White also unavailable at present.