Arsenal F.C. avoided a shock exit from the FA Cup after securing a 2–1 victory over Mansfield Town F.C. to book a place in the quarter-finals.
After Will Evans cancelled out Noni Madueke’s opener at One Call Stadium, Eberechi Eze fired home the winning goal in the 66th minute to keep the Gunners’ hopes of winning the quadruple in the 2025–26 season alive.
Arsenal had an early opportunity to go ahead in the fourth minute when Liam Roberts misplaced a pass that fell to teenager Max Dowman, but his effort was stopped by the goalkeeper’s leg. The moment appeared to spark Mansfield into action.
Rhys Oates soon tested Kepa Arrizabalaga with a shot from the edge of the box, while Tyler Roberts also missed a chance for the home side.
Those missed opportunities proved costly when Madueke curled a fine strike into the top-right corner in the 41st minute to give Arsenal the lead.
Mansfield, however, drew level five minutes into the second half. A misplaced pass from Marli Salmon allowed Evans to pounce. He raced past Cristhian Mosquera before sliding his effort under Kepa to make it 1–1.
Despite the equaliser, Arsenal’s squad depth eventually made the difference. Substitute Eze received the ball on the edge of the box and powered a powerful shot beyond Roberts to restore the visitors’ lead.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus later had chances to extend Arsenal’s advantage but were denied, though Mikel Arteta’s side held on to secure the win.