Arsenal’s pursuit of the quadruple continues as they visit Mansfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon, in what will serve as a timely distraction from the gruelling Premier League for Mikel Arteta’s team.
The Gunners will be able to make wholesale changes for the trip to the League One side, while Manchester City travel to the north-east to take on Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, and Pep Guardiola will likely have to pick a strong team full of first-choice players. This should give the North Londoners another marginal advantage in the title race.
Arteta’s outfit were visibly nervous in their win over Brighton, although they ultimately saw the game out, and the manager will be encouraged by the spirit his team showed late on.
The Spaniard will be confident that his side can secure another win when his team face the Stags, who are languishing in the bottom half of the English third division. The Nottinghamshire side and Arsenal have only ever met once, in an FA Cup tie back in 1929.
| Date | Result | Competition |
| 26/01/1929 | Arsenal 2-0 Mansfield | FA Cup |
Arsenal team news vs Mansfield, Myles Lewis-Skelly availability update
Arteta has a number of minor injury issues to contend with heading to Mansfield. Martin Odegaard’s availability remains uncertain, with the Norwegian missing out on the last two matchday squads as he continues to recover from a knee problem.
Meanwhile, William Saliba also missed the visit to Brighton on Wednesday, and Ben White continues to be absent on a weekly basis. Whether the Frenchman or the English defender will be fit for the FA Cup clash remains to be seen.
Mikel Merino remains out and isn’t likely to feature again this season, while Myles Lewis-Skelly is suspended. The 19-year-old received yellow cards in each of the previous two rounds of the FA Cup, against Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic, respectively.
Kai Havertz is expected to be available to feature against the Stags. The German has struggled with relentless fitness issues since returning from his serious knee setback in January, although he is finally available in some capacity and could start in Nottinghamshire.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Mansfield
Arsenal looked exhausted in the dying embers at Brighton, and thus, Arteta will likely make as many changes as possible for this encounter to protect certain players. The likes of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka can play no role at Field Mill.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will replace David Raya in goal, while Cristhian Mosquera will likely retain his place at centre-back. Both Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori will likely have to start in Lewis-Skelly’s absence, while Arteta has a problem at right-back. If White isn’t deemed fit enough to start, 16-year-old Marli Salmon may well be granted his first start for the Gunners’ first team.
In midfield, the North Londoners are short on options. Christian Norgaard is a shoo-in, although who accompanies him is up in the air. If Havertz is ready, it may be the former Chelsea man alongside Eberechi Eze in a very offensive midfield three.
As for the front three, both Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke will likely come into the side, with either Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli picked off the left.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Mansfield: Kepa; Salmon, Mosquera, Calafiori, Hincapie; Norgaard, Eze, Havertz; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.
Mansfield vs Arsenal Prediction
Mansfield currently sit 16th in League One, four points above Arsenal’s opponent from the last round, Wigan. The Gunners comfortably dispatched the Latics, and thus, they should be capable of strolling to victory against Nigel Clough’s side.
That said, home advantage for Mansfield and a reportedly dodgy pitch could complicate matters for the Gunners. Combine this with a slightly makeshift and unconventional eleven, and this tie could be somewhat closer than expected.
That said, the Stags narrowly beat Burnley to get to this round, in a game in which the Clarets created almost four expected goals. If Scott Parker’s side, which was heavily rotated, can create that volume of chances against Mansfield, then Arsenal should have a field day.
Prediction: Mansfield 0-3 Arsenal
