Mikel Arteta: Arsenal's reputation at risk in front of Mansfield

Mikel Arteta doesn't want Arsenal to be eliminated in the FA Cup against Mansfield Town (Instagram/@arsenal).

JAKARTA - Mikel Arteta warned that Arsenal's reputation could be damaged if they were knocked out of the FA Cup by League One side Mansfield Town on Saturday, March 7, 2026, WIB night.

Arsenal were beaten in the FA Cup third round by Nottingham Forest, then in the Championship, in 2018 and again in 2022, and have only made it past the fourth round once since 2017.

The FA Cup victory in 2020 during Arteta's first season as coach was the club's last trophy. Currently, the pressure is also on them to finally end the six-year wait to win the domestic tournament trophy.

The problem is, Mansfield has the potential to damage Arsenal's target. They have eliminated opponents from the English League this season, Burnley, while they also won away against Sheffield United.

If Nigel Clough's side shock the One Call Stadium, Arteta fears it could have an impact on the rest of his side's journey.

"We have been knocked out a few times in difficult ways and it's a horrible feeling. It feels like it's damaging our reputation. We don't want to experience that again," said Arteta, whose team were knocked out by Manchester United in the FA Cup third round last season.

Arsenal have beaten League One side Wigan in the Fourth Round despite playing at home. While they also managed to get past a tricky away game against Championship side Portsmouth, making this their longest FA Cup journey since winning it six years ago.

"I've been in this country long enough to understand that being the favourites doesn't mean anything. When it comes to that tournament, at that time, in that stadium, I know they will have the belief and confidence that they can beat us. We need to prepare very well," said Arteta.

The pitch conditions at One Call Stadium were very poor during Mansfield's last home game, a 2-2 draw against AFC Wimbledon last weekend, with the wet start to 2026 having heavily affected the surface. However, Arteta did not want to bother with it.

"That's normal. That's the beauty of this tournament. You have to go there, you have to adapt. We've all played in those stadiums. We need to adapt to the context and make the best of it," said Arteta.

Meanwhile, Mansfield manager Clough is the son of Brian Clough - a two-time European Cup (now Champions League) winner, who in addition to making Nottingham Forest European champions in 1979 and 1980, also brought the club to its only top division title in 1978.

Asked if he knew much about Clough's family legacy, Arteta preferred to focus on anticipating what the opponent would do.

"I will read more after tomorrow. I am always very interested when reading reports, to understand the history and the values they have, to understand better what they are trying to do," said Arteta.

The Gunners will also face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22, 2026, one of the four trophies they still chase, with the Premier League and Champions League also being Arteta's targets.