MANSFIELD: Arsenal survived a genuine scare in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday as they edged past spirited third-tier Mansfield Town 2-1, with Eberechi Eze’s thunderbolt sending the Premier League leaders into the quarter-finals.

Noni Madueke gave Arsenal the lead going into halftime at Field Mill but Will Evans equalised for Nigel Clough’s Mansfield before Eze scored in the 66th minute to ensure the top-flight side progressed to the last eight.

“Happy to score. I had the space and the opportunity to shoot. So I took it,” Eze told TNT Sports.

“It was a difficult environment to play in. But we did what we had to do and we are through to next round which is the important thing.”

Mikel Arteta named a much-changed side, starting teenagers Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, as Arsenal became the first Premier League side to start a competitive game with two players aged 16 or under in any competition.

However, Arteta’s changes nearly backfired as the hosts, feeding off a raucous home crowd, gave Arsenal a genuine fright with aggressive pressing and energy that clearly unsettled the visitors.

“Before the game, the gaffer said, ‘Just have a go. We were not expected to win the game, so have a go and enjoy it’,” Mansfield forward Rhys Oates said.

Dowman, Arsenal’s youngest-ever FA Cup player at 16, emerged as a lively attacking threat as the top-flight side gradually found their rhythm before Madueke broke the deadlock in the 41st minute.

Clough brought on Evans for the second half and the Welsh striker made an instant impact, netting five minutes after coming on.

“It’s typical, isn’t it? For me to have a league goal drought and then come on for a half against Arsenal and have a goal against them,” Evans said.

On Friday, Liverpool downed Wolvergampton Wanderers 3-1. Goals from Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones ensured Arne Slot’s side avenged their embarrassing Premier League defeat against the division’s bottom club just three days earlier.

The Reds are through to the quarter-finals as they look to end a turbulent season with silverware. Languishing in sixth place in the Premier League, Liverpool can still win the FA Cup and the Champions League.

After their chastening 2-1 loss at Molineux increased the pressure on Slot, the Dutch coach was pleased to leave the West Midlands having set the record straight and with fresh impetus before heading to Galatasaray for the Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2026