Mansfield to Host Arsenal in FA Cup Fifth Round
Mansfield Town will host Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round on March 7, 2026, at One Call Stadium. This matchup marks a significant moment for Mansfield, who eliminated Burnley to reach this stage of the tournament.
Arsenal, competing in four separate competitions this season, is currently 59 places above Mansfield in the football pyramid. Despite this disparity, Mansfield has shown resilience, although they have not won in their last four League One games since their upset against Burnley.
Arsenal’s performance has been noteworthy, as they have reached the fifth round for the first time since their 14th FA Cup triumph in the 2019-20 season. The team is also on a 10-game unbeaten run across all tournaments, showcasing their strong form heading into this crucial match.
In terms of player availability, Mikel Merino is the only confirmed absence for Arsenal due to injury, while Myles Lewis-Skelly will be suspended after receiving two bookings in this season’s FA Cup. Gabriel Jesus has been a standout performer, boasting 20 goal involvements in 19 cup games against non-Premier League teams.
Meanwhile, Liverpool secured their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Wolves. Liverpool’s next challenge will be a Champions League last-16 tie against Galatasaray, highlighting the busy schedule for top teams.
Virgil van Dijk emphasized the importance of the FA Cup, stating, “The FA Cup is very important to us – like always, but especially this season.” This sentiment reflects the competitive nature of the tournament and the desire for silverware among clubs.
As Mansfield prepares to kick off against Arsenal at 07:15 EST and 12:15 GMT, observers are eager to see if the underdogs can pull off another upset. Arsenal’s strong form and historical pedigree in the FA Cup will make them the favorites, but anything can happen in knockout football.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any last-minute changes to the lineup or additional injuries that may affect either team as the match date approaches.
