Eze saved the fans’ nerves and sent Arsenal into the FA Cup quarter-finals

Despite that early scare, Mansfield responded brilliantly and created several chances of their own. In the 11th minute, Mosquera was caught in possession which led to chaos inside the Arsenal penalty area.

The ball eventually fell to Reed, but his shot was comfortably held by Kepa Arrizabalaga. Arsenal immediately lost the ball again, giving McLaughlin the chance to curl an effort toward the far corner, but it deflected just wide, while the resulting corner also caused problems before the visitors managed to clear.

Just two minutes later, Mansfield came close once again. Roberts had space outside the box and unleashed a dipping strike that left Kepa stranded, but the ball flashed narrowly wide of the post.

It is fair to say that in the opening 15 minutes Mansfield looked more dangerous than Arsenal, with the home players clearly relaxed and willing to shoot whenever they had the chance, knowing they had little to lose.

Arsenal gradually began to grow into the game. In the 23rd minute, a neat combination between Dowman and Trossard created space for the Belgian, but from a tight angle he opted for power and fired over the bar.

Two minutes later, the impressive Dowman once again showed his quality, playing a clever pass to Gabriel Martinelli, though the Brazilian’s shot went straight into Roberts.

The visitors continued to push and nearly found the breakthrough in spectacular fashion in the 27th minute. Madueke swung in a dangerous corner that curled directly toward goal, only for the ball to crash against the post, much to the relief of the Mansfield players.

Another big chance followed in the 29th minute when Trossard broke down the left and delivered a low cross to Dowman, but the youngster failed to connect properly and Roberts made a routine save.

Arsenal’s pressure finally paid off in the 41st minute. Madueke initially forced Roberts into a smart save, but the rebound fell kindly to Martinelli. The Brazilian calmly laid the ball back to Madueke, who struck a powerful and precise shot into the far corner to give Arsenal the lead.

After break, hosts struck in the 50th minute and sent the stadium into a frenzy. A costly mistake from 16-year-old Salmon handed the ball straight to Evans with no pressure. The substitute seized the opportunity, drove past Mosquera and fired a low shot underneath Kepa to make it 1–1, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans. With 59 places separating the two teams in the football pyramid, the equaliser perfectly captured the magic of the FA Cup

Arsenal quickly tried to respond. Just four minutes later, Dowman produced a brilliant solo run through the Mansfield defence and managed to create space for a shot, but Roberts reacted superbly to deny the talented youngster.

Mansfield nearly punished Arsenal again in the 58th minute when Reed led a promising counterattack. With two teammates in plenty of space to his right, the midfielder had better options available but instead opted for a long-range attempt, scuffing the effort and wasting a great opportunity.

The game then produced a remarkable moment in the 64th minute. Mansfield committed too many players forward which allowed Arsenal to break with a five-on-two counterattack. Madueke slipped Dowman through on goal and the teenager had time to pick out Jesus for what looked like a certain tap-in. However, Knoyle made an incredible goal-line clearance to somehow keep the score level.

But Arsenal finally restored their lead just two minutes later. Freshly introduced from the bench, Eberechi Eze received the ball around the edge of the box, created a yard of space and unleashed a powerful and precise strike that flew into the net to make it 2–1 for the Gunners.

Arsenal had another chance to seal the victory in the 83rd minute. After a quick counterattack, Saka found himself one-on-one with Roberts, but the Mansfield goalkeeper produced an excellent save with his leg to keep his team in the contest.

FA CUP - ROUND OF 16

Friday

Wolverhampton - Liverpool 1-3 (0-0)

/Hwang 90+1 - Robertson 51, Salah 53, Jones 74/

Saturday

Mansfield - Arsenal 1-2 (0-1)

/Evans 50 - Madueke 41, Eze 66/

20.45: (7.00) Wrexham (4.85) Chelsea (1.42)

23.00: (3.40) Newcastle (3.75) Man City (2.05)

Sunday

15.00: (1.55) Fulham (4.20) Southampton (5.90)

16.30: (7.75) Port Vale (4.50) Sunderland (1.42)

19.30: (1.45) Leeds (4.65) Norwich (6.50)

Monday

22.30: (2.95) West Ham (3.45) Brentford (2.35)

***odds are subject to change***