The magic of the FA Cup was on full display at the One Call Stadium, where League One Mansfield Town proved a formidable test for a heavily rotated Arsenal side.
Youth and Experience
Mikel Arteta made nine changes for this fifth-round tie and started two 16-year-olds, Max Dowman and Marli Salmon. Dowman became the youngest player ever to start an FA Cup tie for Arsenal, a record that has stood a very long time. The gamble seemed to pay off on 41 minutes when Noni Madueke fired home from inside the box after a corner.
The Mansfield Push
Mansfield refused to roll over. Five minutes into the second half, substitute Will Evans punished our hesitation at the back to equalise and sent the One Call Stadium into a frenzy.
Eze Off The Bench
Recognizing the danger of an upset, Arteta turned to his bench. Eberechi Eze came on and settled it on 66 minutes, a fierce effort from the edge of the box into the top corner.
Afterwards the boss talked about the kids more than the scare:
"Well, very proud of him, very proud as well of Marli. Obviously, two 16-year-olds starting in the FA Cup. That tells us a lot about them, their personality and the quality that they have. And Max, I think he was exceptional."
"I think Max is the youngest ever in the competition [for Arsenal], and this competition has been going for a while, so it tells you how difficult that is."
A tough test navigated. The quadruple dream is still alive!
Man of the Match: Eberechi Eze 🏴
Came off the bench to save the day and punch our ticket to the quarter-finals.