Arsenal booked their place within the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Mansfield City.
Regardless of being heavy favourites, Mikel Arteta’s aspect have been pushed all the way in which by their League One opponents in an entertaining contest that noticed probabilities at each ends.
Arsenal finally broke the impasse within the forty first minute by means of Noni Madueke. After neat work from Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank, the winger was picked out on the sting of the realm and curled an outstanding left-footed effort into the highest nook to provide the guests the lead earlier than half-time.
Mansfield had created a number of alternatives of their very own through the opening interval and their persistence was rewarded shortly after the restart.
Substitute Will Evans capitalised on a defensive mistake, intercepting a free again cross from Marli Salmon earlier than evading Yerson Mosquera and ending previous goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to stage the match within the fiftieth minute.
The hosts continued to threaten, however Arsenal finally restored their benefit halfway by means of the second half because of a second of high quality from Eberechi Eze.
Accumulating a cross from Christian Norgaard simply outdoors the realm, Eze took a contact earlier than unleashing a strong strike into the highest nook to make it 2-1.
From there, Arsenal managed the closing levels whereas Mansfield continued to push for an equaliser.
The house aspect got here shut late on when Oliver Irow directed a header in direction of aim, however Arrizabalaga held on to protect the lead.
