Arsenal keep FA Cup hopes
Arsenal advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals, keeping their multi‑front push alive while leading the Premier League — Mikel Arteta’s side is chasing multiple trophies after his last Arsenal silverware was the 2019‑20 FA Cup. The run adds pressure as they also eye domestic cup finals this spring. (sportingnews.com)
Arsenal edged Mansfield Town 2-1 in the FA Cup fifth round at One Call Stadium on March 7, 2026, with Noni Madueke opening on 40/41 minutes and Eberechi Eze scoring the winner in the 65/66th minute after Will Evans had equalised early in the second half (arsenal.com). Eze’s strike came after he was introduced from the bench and was described as a “thumping” or “thunderbolt” that kept Arsenal’s run in all competitions alive, with national outlets and the FA calling it the decisive moment of a testing tie (thefa.com). Mikel Arteta made heavy changes for the trip, naming two 16‑year‑olds — Max Dowman and Marli Salmon — in the starting XI and switching formations before reverting; Sky Sports and ESPN noted the gamble and the resulting strain on Arsenal’s balance in the match (skysports.com) (espn.com). Madueke’s goal was Arsenal’s 100th of the season in their 46th match, a milestone flagged in the club’s report from Mansfield and cited in post‑match coverage (arsenal.com). The quarter‑final draw handed Arsenal an away tie at Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium, to be played across the weekend of April 4–5, 2026, with the Saints having beaten Doncaster, Leicester and Fulham to reach the last eight (arsenal.com). Arsenal’s FA Cup progress arrives amid a congested schedule that includes the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on March 22 and a UEFA Champions League quarter‑final against Sporting CP first leg on April 7 and second leg on April 15, underscoring the club’s multi‑front campaign this spring (efl.com) (uefa.com).
