Bring Down the 16-Year-Old, Arsenal Qualify for the FA Cup Quarterfinals

Arsenal beat Mansfield 2-1 in the fifth round and qualified for the FA Cup quarter-finals. (X/@EmiratesFACup)

JAKARTA - Arsenal passed the hurdle of the Third Division or League One Mansfield in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Appearing with two teenagers who are still 16, Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, Arsenal qualified for the quarter-finals after winning 2-1 in the match at Field Mill Stadium, Saturday, March 7, 2025 WIB.

Manager Mikel Arteta almost completely overhauled the starting line-up when playing in the FA Cup. No less than eight players brought Arsenal to a 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, including Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper David Raya did not play. Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka started the match by sitting on the bench. However, Saka and Eberechi Eze were later played in the second half.

On the other hand, Arteta gave Dowman and Salmon the chance to be starters. In fact, Dowman became the youngest player in the club to compete in the FA Cup at the age of 16 years 66 days.

Arteta opted to rotate the players as the team faces a third-tier opponent in the English League. In addition, The Gunners are focused on facing Bayer Leverkusen in the 16th round of the Champions League in the middle of next week.

Even though they didn't bring out the best squad, Arsenal was still able to dominate the game and outclass their opponents. Only, the North London club, which is currently leading the English Premier League standings, had to work hard to overcome Mansfield's resistance.

The victory not only brought Arsenal through to the quarter-finals. They also kept alive their hopes of a quadruple as they remain in the Champions League and the English League Cup and are seven points ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League.

"Mansfield deserves credit for playing in the FA Cup with the incredible atmosphere the fans provided at the stadium," Arteta said as quoted by france24.

"The atmosphere in the stadium is really amazing which encourages their team to play with high spirits. They really made it difficult for us," he said.

Arteta also highlighted the team's front line, which relies on Gabriel Jesus. They were judged to be less clinical, throwing away no less than four to five chances.

"We actually had four or five very good chances. But we failed to convert them. In addition, we seemed to give hope to the opposing team. We also made mistakes that led to a goal. But overall I am satisfied with the team's performance," said Arteta again.

Appearing against opponents from the lower division, Arsenal did have trouble. The hosts who played without burden were able to give resistance.

Even Rhys Oates threatened Arsenal's goal several times, which this time was guarded by Kepa Arrizabalaga. In addition, the attack of Tyler Roberts who became Oates' tandem has not found results because his shot is still wide.

Arsenal slowly began to rise and put pressure. Only their attacks did not bear fruit. However, Arsenal was finally able to break the deadlock when winger Noni Madueke managed to break the opponent's goal in the 41st minute. Madueke's own foot shot successfully defeated goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

The goal that gave Arsenal a 1-0 lead was the 100th Arsenal scored in various competitions this season. The score also lasted until the first half ended.

Entering the second half, Mansfield tried to rise. The team handled by Nigel Clough, who still played for Liverpool and Manchester City, was able to surprise Arsenal.

The match only lasted five minutes, Mansfield was able to equalize the score when Will Evans, who had just entered as a substitute, was able to break into the Arsenal goal. Evans, who took advantage of Salmon's mistake, changed the score to 1-1.

In a draw, both teams took turns attacking. But Arsenal was finally able to break the deadlock for the second time after Eze broke into the host's goal in the 66th minute. The score changed to 2-1 for Arsenal and lasted until the end of the match.