Gunners Edge Past Mansfield in Thrilling FA Cup Clash

Eze's strike sends Arsenal to FA Cup last 8

Arsenal overcome 2-1 win over League One Mansfield, with Eberechi Eze's 66th-minute winner securing their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze on target as Arsenal beat Mansfield 2-1, advancing in the FA Cup...

Arsenal's FA Cup dream is still alive! They survived a nail-biting 2-1 win over third-tier Mansfield Town, securing their spot in the quarter-finals. Eberechi Eze's thunderbolt goal in the 66th minute sealed the win, after Noni Madueke's 41st-minute strike was canceled out by Will Evans' equalizer for Mansfield.

Mikel Arteta's experimental lineup, featuring two 16-year-olds, Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, showed promise, but it was the Premier League experience that ultimately shone through. Dowman, in particular, impressed with his composed play, earning comparisons to Lionel Messi.

Noni Madueke scored a powerful goal just before half-time, giving Arsenal the lead against League One's Mansfield Town. However, the game was far from over, as substitute Will Evans equalized for Mansfield shortly after the break, sending the One Call Stadium into raptures.

The game opened up, with both teams creating chances, before Eberechi Eze struck again, thumping home a goal to restore Arsenal's lead. Eze's thunderbolt in the 66th minute silenced the crowd and put Arsenal back in control, securing their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Max Dowman made history as Arsenal's youngest-ever FA Cup player, starting at just 16 years and 66 days old. Arteta's been shaking things up, giving opportunities to youngsters like 16-year-old Marli Salmon too.

Arsenal dominated possession early on, but Mansfield started to come alive after 10 minutes. Nigel Clough's men created some great chances, with Rhys Oates being a constant threat and Tyler Roberts having a shot flash narrowly wide. They were looking like they could cause an upset against the Premier League leaders.

But Arsenal kept their opponents at bay and took the lead in the 41st minute through winger Madueke -- becoming the first Premier League team to reach 100 goals in all competitions this season.

Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts did well to save Madueke's original shot, but Gabriel Martinelli picked up the ball on the left and once again found the England winger on the edge of the box.

Madueke's left-footed shot was unstoppable this time, curling past Liam Roberts and into the net. But Mansfield equalized quickly after the break, thanks to Will Evans' composed finish off a sloppy pass by Marli Salmon, beating Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Into the last-eight 🙌 pic.twitter.com/izD4idGruC

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 7, 2026

Eberechi Eze sealed the win for Arsenal in the 66th minute, smashing home from the edge of the box. Despite dominating possession, Arteta's men were made to work hard by Mansfield, but they held on to secure their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Arsenal's FA Cup win in 2020 was a highlight for Mikel Arteta, marking his first major trophy as manager. Fast forward to 2026, and they're top of the Premier League, seven points ahead of Manchester City with just eight games left.

The Gunners are on a roll, and their schedule is heating up! They're facing Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, followed by the League Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on March 22.