Online Reporter
MIKEL ARTETA is rightly criticised for over-playing his stars, leading to injuries.
So while the Arsenal manager delivered a gamble with his team selection, it proved to be the right decision, even though his team suffered an absolutely massive scare in Nottinghamshire in what was a good old fifth round battle.
With Arteta having one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Bayer Leverkusen, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Zubimendi were all given the weekend off while Bukayo Saka spent most of the game on the bench.
Yet there were times when Arteta was probably regretting the decision to make so many changes — and a big switch in formation — as Nigel Clough’s team did exceptionally well and refused to give up.
While the team did look unbalanced, Arsenal scraped through with a winner from substitute Eberechi Eze.
His strike came after Mansfield’s fans were dreaming of a shock after Will Evans – who was playing for Cardiff University six years ago — cancelled out a first half goal from Noni Madueke.
But even in stoppage time, Mansfield had a chance to take this tie to extra-time.
On a poor pitch against a well-organised team, Arsenal really struggled and Mansfield threatened to deliver a shock just as big as Macclesfield’s win over Crystal Palace two months ago.
Arsenal became the first ever Premier League club to start two players aged 16 or under for a competitive game with Max Dowman and Marli Salmon featuring while Arteta also gave a debut in the second half to 18-year-old defender Jaden Dixon, who has just joined from Stoke for £500,000. For 16-year-old Salmon, in a three-man defence alongside Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori, this was a full debut as his three other appearances for Arsenal were as a sub and he did play a part in Mansfield’s leveller.
Yet the decision to start Dowman was a bit of a risk even though he was Arsenal’s best player and once again showed his incredible talent.
After making five appearances this season as a 15-year-old, breaking various records, he suffered a serious ankle injury in a friendly against Manchester United in November.
So considering he had only been back in training a couple of weeks, it was strange to see him thrown into a starting XI rather than being handed a few minutes off the bench.
Dowman once again wrote himself into Arsenal history by becoming the club’s youngest ever FA Cup player and should have scored after a couple of minutes. But Liam Roberts saved his shot while the teenager also had a couple of other chances in the first half.
After initially being overwhelmed, Mansfield discovered some confidence and caused Arsenal considerable discomfort with that back three looking a bit flimsy.
Louis Reed’s drive was blocked by Kepa Arrizabalaga and Rhys Oates’ follow-up was deflected for a corner while there were also a few other dodgy moments for Arsenal at the back. — The Sun
