Arsenal secured a 2-1 away victory against Mansfield in the FA Cup this afternoon, keeping their hopes of winning four trophies this season alive. The Gunners entered the match as clear favourites, but the competition is well known for producing surprising results, and Mansfield had already demonstrated their ability to cause problems after eliminating Burnley in the previous round.
Arsenal have enjoyed an impressive campaign so far, and there is growing belief that they could end the season with multiple honours. However, matches such as this one highlight why knockout competitions require complete concentration from the first minute until the final whistle.
Mansfield prove stubborn opponents
The match began positively for Arsenal, yet it quickly became clear that Mansfield would not make the afternoon easy for the visitors. The home side were organised defensively and determined to prevent Arsenal from scoring early, knowing that an early concession could damage their chances of producing another upset.
Mansfield maintained their shape well and frustrated the Gunners for long periods during the first half. Arsenal controlled possession but struggled to create clear opportunities against the disciplined defence.
Their persistence eventually paid off in the 41st minute when Noni Madueke found the breakthrough. The goal gave Arsenal a deserved lead and ensured they entered the half time interval in control of the contest.
Arsenal respond to second half scare
The match took an unexpected turn shortly after the restart. Only five minutes into the second half, Mansfield equalised through Will Evans, who had been introduced at half time. The goal created excitement inside the stadium and briefly raised the possibility of another FA Cup surprise.
Arsenal responded quickly and demonstrated their quality by regaining the lead soon afterwards. Substitute Eberechi Eze produced the decisive moment, scoring to restore the advantage for Mikel Arteta’s side.
With the lead restored, Arteta made further substitutions as he looked to manage the remainder of the match. Mansfield continued to push forward in search of another equaliser that would set up a dramatic finish, but they were unable to break through again.
Arsenal ultimately held on to secure the victory and progress in the competition.
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Mansfield deserved a better result to be fair. loads of respect to them
This match shouldn’t have been this nerve wracking with all those attackers
But the main thing is we got through it with a win
Calafiori should be sold in the summer, since he’s so injury prone. Luckily, we signed Hincapie
apparently he would like to go back to Italy. We should try to make it happen.
Good win, onwards and upwards onto next round. Nice to see all the squad used. Some players looked like they needed the game. Well done Madueke, Norgard, Eze, Mosquera and Dowman. Not so good, Jesus, Haverz and Martinelli. Obviously a bit out of shape but the quality over Mansfield should and did tell in the end.
gotanidea, and it wasn’t even a contact injury.
Great win, Attention to the next. Leverkusen awaits. COYG!!!
Fair play to Mansfield, they certainly gave a good account of themselves.
Well done Arsenal for getting through a potential banana skin.
Lets see who we get next.
@DEREK
That’s what makes cup matches so exciting. It’s anybody’s to win or lose. No matter table standings or league levels…
NY-Gunner,
Totally agree. 👍
While i appreciate the bumpy pitch may be a bit of a leveller, our performance was far from convincing and certain players failed to make the most of the opportunities afforded to them today.Young Salmon seems to be blamed for the Mansfield goal, but to me both Mosquera and Kepa were equally culpable.On a brighter note Dowman looks a real player but If there were any doubts concerning the future of Jesus at Arsenal, they were dispelled today.We need to move him on and the same applies to Calafiori in view of his inability to stay fit.
Well played Mansfield and at this stage of the competition a lower league team with so much at stake can show up those from the Premier League.
Not a fan of making so many changes to a starting 11 as it often upsets the balance and doesn’t quite offer the same understanding amongst themselves.
The pitch was gloopy and Arsenal tended to either over hit the ball or play it too short. Mansfield must surely be used to it as opposed to teams from the Premier league that play on green carpet.
Got there in the end with the introduction of more senior players. Great goals – Eze in particular hit a belter and well done to Dowman who looks so comfortable.
The joy and leveller of the FA cup. All games against lower league opponents are not easy but we got through and that’s the main thing.
Have to say I agree with the comments on here about Calafiori, a fine player but we surely can’t persevere with him if he is constantly being injured. We don’t want another Diaby situation.
Some numpty suggesting Martinelli should be sold? Laid on three chances and the assist for first goal, obviously didn’t watch the game!
only way you would sell Martinelli is if two wingers came in. They will have to start thinking about Trossard as he is creeping up in age.
Some numpties posting how great Martinelli is, pretty sure there last post about was him was after the Portsmouth game. Are we supposed to ignore all the performances against decent opposition and just judge him against lower league teams?
Liam Gallagher,
While I agree to a certain point regarding some of his performance’s, have you not seen him in the Champions League. His form is better there at present.
Liam, don’t look back in anger😂. Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself. 🙄🤦♂️
Tottenham finished 5th in the champions league group stages. 5 out of the 8 auto places taken by the English clubs. Europe is on its arse and the prem is miles ahead. Wouldnt be shocked if all but Newcastle make it through to the next round
You just got to roll with it Derek.
Liam Gallagher,
Very good. 😂🤣👍
Another scrappy win, thankfully we avoided a huge cup upset, way too close for comfort! Calafiori reminds me of the Japanese chap we had that kept getting injured, sadly I don’t think he’s cut out for English football and if we can find a buyer we should cut our losses and move him on in the summer.
23yr old Calafiori injured today doesn’t mean he is finished, not at all, neither should we see to move him on. This is why players pray prior to taking to the field. *Unfortunately player injuries (+ recovery from injury) are part of the demands being made on an athlete.
Fans of LFC sing “you’ll never walk alone,” here are our fans wishing to end our young players asap. and with no indication whether this injury is serious. This type of energy is questionable 🙁
Sorry mate but thats like the 5th different injury Calafioris had this season alone. Last season was the same. He also suffered a season lasting injury 3 years ago.
It makes a player unreliable if hes 5-6 times injured a season 2 weeks at a time.
Great goals by Madueke and Eze, and forget the rest. Next game….
Further progress in all competitions.
Now on to the next one against Leverkusen on Wednesday evening.
Gyokeres.
Martinelli. Eze. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Hincapie. Gabriel. Mosquera. Timber.
Raya.
Just pleased to see Dowman fit again, what a talent we have on our hands. We can loan Nwaneri next season (hopefully to a prem team) use dowman 10/rw and then be in a crazy position 27/28 (Dowman 18, Nwaneri 20, Madueke 25 and Saka 26, all HG.)
Subs –
Jesus, Havertz, Madueke, Norgaard, Skelly, Downman, Salmon, Harriman, Kepa.
Injured –
Merino
White
Odegaard
Saliba
Trossard*
Calafiori*
6 players probably out for the UCL game on Wednesday.
Let injuries not be our downfall this season.
The one scary thing today for (many other things you take with a pinch of salt because its the FA CUP) was in the second half we broke 6 players to 2 Mansfield and we shockingly messed it up. Rather embarrassingly. I talk about football brains and that something we struggle with. We have the players but sometimes, its head in hands time watching our decision making. It was shocking.
Not, a game to pull my hair out over. We were missing three midfielders without Odegaard, Merino and Nwaneri. Plus no Rice so there were huge holes in a non existent midfield. Norgaad not able to carry the middle on his own.Martinelli had a mixed bag of a game,; agree that he should have done better, but he wasn’t our worse. Jesus, King Kai and Mandouke were equally poor, with the latter only redeemed by his goal. Thought the youngsters did well. The new kid from Stoke looked good. Under some pressure, but could in future provide better attacking options than Timber. It was an enjoyable game. We rode our luck and if they had had one or two Championship level finishers they could have knocked us out but that’s football. Being a struggling third tier club Mansfield were just happy to be hosting Arsenal and giving us a game.
The former Crystal Palace Man looks a class above the field, and with Leverkusen just on the horizon, Jesus and Eze can now dip their bread
GB
I thought Martinelli was shocking today and has been for a number of games
No one more then me wants him to be a world beater more but boy he can put in some stinkers at times
His decision making, finishing has to be consistently better. We know he can do it as we have seen a wonderful player at times but other times it’s like having 10 on the pitch and left hand side is toothless
Trossard has been exactly the same
An position I feel we need to improve next season
Onwards and upwards
I see the JA page is still having problems. Are you aware of this Admin Martin and Michelle.
If you are, with all due respect, could you please acknowledge it to the poster’s. That way at least we would no you know.
No disrespect intended.
That way at least we would know that you know. OOPS!.
You no you no🤣
Reggie,
Don’t confuse me now. I’m already confused enough. 😂👍