Arsenal continued their quest for a record fifteenth FA Cup trophy with a hard fought 2-1 victory over League One side Mansfield Town on Saturday.
Eberechi Eze proved to be the match winner, coming off the bench to strike a decisive second half goal after Will Evans had cancelled out Noni Madueke’s opener.
The Gunners were pushed to the limit by the lower league opposition, who had already claimed a Premier League scalp in the previous round.
Mikel Arteta’s side now progress to the last eight as they maintain their challenge on multiple fronts this season.
This victory also marked a significant milestone for the North London club, as they became the first Premier League team to reach 100 goals in all competitions this season.
Only Bayern Munich and Barcelona have surpassed that tally in Europe’s top five leagues so far this term.
The match at the One Call Stadium was a classic cup tie, with the home fans creating a hostile atmosphere that seemed to unsettle the visitors in the early stages.
However, the quality of Arsenal’s squad depth eventually told. Madueke’s opener was a moment of pure class, but Evans’ equaliser shortly after the break gave Mansfield hope of a historic upset.
It took a moment of brilliance from Eze, who bypassed two defenders before rifling a shot into the top corner, to secure the win. Arteta praised the resilience of his players after the match, noting that these types of fixtures are essential for building the character needed to win silverware.
With a Champions League tie against Bayer Leverkusen on the horizon, the result provides a much needed boost to the squad’s confidence.