Arsenal FC survived a nervy test against third-tier Mansfield Town on Saturday, edging a 2–1 win to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals and stay on course for a historic quadruple.

Mikel Arteta made nine changes to the side that beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 midweek, keeping the team fresh as they also lead the Premier League by seven points.

Noni Madueke put the 14-time FA Cup winners ahead just before half-time, but substitute Will Evans equalised shortly after the break, keeping the contest tense. The game opened up, with chances at both ends, before substitute Eberechi Eze smashed home from the edge of the box in the 66th minute to restore Arsenal’s lead.

Young talent featured prominently, with Max Dowman becoming the club’s youngest-ever FA Cup player at 16 years and 66 days, and fellow 16-year-old Marli Salmon squad.

Arsenal dominated early possession, but Nigel Clough’s side, who had knocked out Premier League strugglers Burnley FC in the previous round, threatened after 10 minutes. Rhys Oates caused constant problems, while Tyler Roberts came close with a long-range effort.

The Gunners broke the deadlock in the 41st minute. Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts initially saved Madueke’s effort, but Gabriel Martinelli picked up the rebound and squared it back to Madueke, who curled a left-footed shot past Roberts. The goal also marked Arsenal as the first Premier League team to reach 100 goals in all competitions this season.

Mansfield responded after the restart, with Evans capitalising on a sloppy pass from Salmon to slot past Kepa Arrizabalaga and level the score.

The contest remained open until Eze, on only a few minutes, struck from outside the box to give Arsenal the lead once again. Despite ongoing pressure from the League One side, Arteta’s men held on to advance to the last eight.

Arsenal’s FA Cup win in 2020, in Arteta’s first season, remains the Spaniard’s only major trophy at the Emirates. They are also strong favourites to clinch the Premier League for the first time since 2004, sitting seven points clear of Manchester City with eight games remaining.

The Gunners now turn their attention to facing Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday, before a League Cup final showdown with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22