Arsenal are through to the Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup after edging past League One side Mansfield town in a hard fought cup tie where the Gunners did just enough to win the match. Arsenal made 9 changes to the team from last time out against Brighton and included two 16 year olds in Max Dowman and Marli Salmon from the start, as they attempted to rest as many of the first team players as possible. As a result of the much changed team, the performance was understandably disjointed at times, especially as they started with a back three for the first time in about 5 years, but Arsenal weathered on early storm (of sorts) and took the lead before half time through a well taken Noni Madueke strike from the edge of the box.
From that point, many, including myself, expected Arsenal to run away with the game however, Mansfield had other ideas and levelled just after the break following a mix-up between Cristhian Mosquera and Marli Salmon.
Mikel Arteta turned to his bench to turn the game back into our favour with Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze entering the fray around 60 minutes and it was the latter who gave Arsenal the lead for a second time shortly after his introduction. Christian Norgaard found Eze on the edge of the Mansfield box and the former Crystal Palace man unleashed a ferocious drive into the top right hand corner, giving the keeper no chance. A goal of real quality from Eze, fit to win any game and so it proved, as Arsenal saw out the rest of the game without incident. Here’s how the players rated:
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7
A good performance from Arsenal’s number 2. Was a calm, reassuring presence back there, especially when Arsenal came under pressure from their League One counterparts. Distribution was good, commanded his box well and made a few fairly routine saves. No chance with their goal.
Marli Salmon – 6
Shows a calmness beyond his years, which can be a positive and a negative at times. Guilty of overplaying at times, but his composure and confidence is admirable, especially for a 16 year old! Defended well and was aggressive when needed but was culpable for the Mansfield equaliser with a loose pass, which Mosquera should still have done better with.
Cristhian Mosquera – 5
In the second game in succession, Mosquera looked a bag of nerves out there. He just never seemed to settle and a mistake always seemed a possibility. It was a loose pass from Salmon, but the Spaniard should have done much better to help retrieve the situation and bail out his junior colleague.
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
Steady showing from Calafiori, until his now customary withdrawal due to injury. The guy is made of biscuits. Such a shame given how influential he was during the early part of the season. Was a willing runner and an option when going forward and popped up all over the place in his usual wandering fashion. Decent defensively as well and so calm in possession, which was much needed in a makeshift, inexperienced backline. Hopefully the injury is not serious.
Christian Norgaard – 8
Another excellent performance from the big Dane. Strong in the tackle, always looking to pass forward and set up the winning goal after a brilliant turn on the edge of the Mansfield box. Feels like he’s going to be a key player in the run in and with this sort of performance, he’s will have earned his chance. Was a real leader out there.
Noni Madueke – 7
Very Madueke!! Took his goal brilliantly and had the beating of his man time and again and really grew into the game, showing the value of leaving a player on for the full 90 minutes. On the other side of the Madueke coin, he sent a few wild shots miles over the bar and managed to turn a couple of really decent looking chances into moments of comedy. I think that’s just what you get with Madueke. Produced a really good goal today, so I’m not complaining.
Kai Havertz – 6
Quiet one from Havertz today. Failed to really influence the game in any meaningful way. Some nice link up play from time to time and he battled well in midfield. Withdrawn on 60 minutes in what was presumably a planned substitution.
Max Dowman – 8 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Superb from the young man. Got better and better and all that was missing was a goal to crown off a truly excellent performance. Another who was guilty of overplaying in the wrong areas at times, but generally picked his moments well and kept the ball well under pressure. Had a few mazy runs, one of which drew a fine save from the Mansfield keeper and had another couple of efforts that he probably should have done better with. Much, much more to come from Dowman.
Leandro Trossard – 5
Poor today. Been poor for a few games now. That early season form seems to have deserted him and he was barely in this one until his withdrawal in the first half through injury.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Another who was poor. Will end the game with an assist to his name, but these are the games where we really want to see Martinelli flex his muscles and roast his full back. That just didn’t happen, as the Mansfield defence dealt with him with relative ease for the most part. Unlucky not to score in the second half, with his efforted cleared by a combination of goalkeeper and defender, but it was his all round play, weight of pass and decision making, that really let him down today.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
Yet another experienced player who was shown up by his junior colleagues as Gabriel Jesus went completely missing. Didn’t keep the ball well, didn’t bring teammates into the game and just generally wasn’t at the races. A worrying performance.
Subs:
Piero Hincapie – 7 – Brilliant again. Came on at centre back following a re-jig after Trossard’s withdrawal and immediately adjusted to the pace of the game. So strong defensively, he just eats up the ground. He’s guilty of lumping the ball a bit too often when passes may be on, but I don’t mind that at all. No nonsense stuff from the Ecuadorian.
Eberechi Eze – 7 – Some nice intricate play in the centre of the park, but let’s face it, it’s the winning goal that earns Eze his 7. Fantastic strike to send us into the next round. We need to find a way to get him into these positions in League matches!
Jurrien Timber – 7 – Moved positions a few times after his introduction and was equally comfortable in each. Exuded calm and class and really helped us see out the game.
Bukayo Saka – 6 – Professional stuff from Saka after his introduction. Nothing flashy but he moved the ball really well and was unlucky not to helped himself to a second goal in the week.
Jaden Dixon – 6 – Thrown into the deep end a bit for his club debut and didn’t let anyone down. Calm on the ball and solid enough defensively.
Final note – When you put out such a makeshift team, you’re really expected the experienced players to step up and help the younger players over the line. The opposite was true today as the likes of Max Dowman showed the likes of Jesus and Martinelli how it’s done. There’s a few players who should be looking over their shoulder right now, as the future waits for no one…