FA Cup: Arsenal beat Mansfield to keep quadruple dream alive

Eberechi Eze smashed home the winner as Arsenal survived a scare to overcome third-tier Mansfield 2-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, keeping alive their hopes for a historic quadruple.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made nine changes to the side that beat Brighton 1-0 in midweek to open up a seven-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Noni Madueke put the 14-time FA Cup winners ahead against the League One strugglers shortly before half-time, only for substitute Will Evans to level soon after the break.

The game opened up, with chances for both teams before England forward Eze thumped home to restore Arsenal’s lead, minutes after being introduced by Arteta.

Arteta said after the game: “It was a proper FA Cup game and credit to Mansfield, the stadium, the atmosphere that the fans created.

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“It was a bit of banter, great atmosphere as well for them to keep pushing the team and they made it really difficult for us.”

Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph in 2020 remains Arteta’s only major trophy during his time in charge at the Emirates.

But they are hot favourites to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004 and take on Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.

Arsenal also have a Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on March 22.

The Star