Eze shines and Dowman dazzles as Arsenal scrape past Mansfield

Arsenal survived a scare at the One Call Stadium, edging past League One Mansfield Town 2-1 to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals. Mikel Arteta trialled a 3-5-2 setup with wingers instead of wing-backs, a change that invited pressure from the hosts. The game started frenetically: Max Dowman, making his first start since an ankle problem, missed a one-on-one early on while Kepa Arrizabalaga produced a pair of fine saves in the opening 12 minutes.

Noni Madueke broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a curling effort from around 18 yards, Arsenal's 100th goal in all competitions this season. Mansfield hit back after the break when Marli Salmon slipped a pass that substitute Will Evans seized on, running clear and slotting under Kepa.

Arsenal should have retaken the lead when Gabriel Jesus had a goal cleared off the line, but Eberechi Eze, introduced from the bench, swivelled and lashed a strike into the top corner from the edge of the area after Christian Norgaard played the simple pass that set it up.

England, Mansfield

arsenal, mansfield town, fa cup, mikel arteta, 3-5-2, max dowman, kepa arrizabalaga, noni madueke, eberechi eze, gabriel jesus