After a jubilant midweek in terms of the Premier League title race, Arsenal return to FA Cup action at Saturday lunchtime as they travel to the One Call Stadium to face League One Mansfield Town in the last 16. Indeed, the Gunners beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 away from home, while their closest challengers Manchester City drew 2-2 at home to Nottingham Forest to open up a seven-point gap at the top of the table.
In terms of the FA Cup, Arsenal thrashed another League One side in Wigan Athletic 4-0 at home in the fourth round, while Mansfield shocked Premier League team Burnley by beating them 2-1 at Turf Moor. The Stags face a much tougher test here though, and it would be an almighty upset if they were to beat the Premier League leaders.
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Mansfield Town vs Arsenal prediction: Gunners to safely reach quarter-finals?
Key stats
- Mansfield are winless in four games (D2, L2).
- Arsenal are on a three-match winning run.
- Five of the six FA Cup games involving these teams this season have seen four or more goals scored.
Correct score prediction: Mansfield 0-4 Arsenal
Arsenal should possess too much quality for Mansfield, and we could see a sizeable scoreline like the Gunners have produced before against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup already this season. We can see them winning by a four-goal margin again, but in truth it could be more.
Pre-game odds and winning probability: Arsenal almighty favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 20/1 (21.00) – 4.8%
- DRAW: 11/1 (12.00) – 8.3%
- AWAY: 1/11 (1.09) – 91.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Arsenal are unsurprisingly the major favourites with bookmakers to claim victory on their travels and progress safely into the quarter-finals. A draw in normal time can be backed at just over 8%, while a Mansfield win is deemed highly unlikely at just under 5%.
Also, feel free to check out our football betting tips page for more of our expert FA Cup predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Only one previous meeting
Both teams have only played each other once before, all the way back in 1929. It was in the FA Cup incidentally as well, as Arsenal won 2-0 on home soil.
Mansfield Town preview: Bolton a fresh injury blow
Luke Bolton came off early with an injury in Mansfield's 0-0 draw at Rotherham United last time out, and so is unlikely to feature here. Ryan Sweeney and Baily Cargill are also on the treatment table.
Predicted lineup: Roberts (GK); Knoyle, Oshilaja, Blake-Tracy; Akins, Lewis, Reed, McLaughlin; Evans, Roberts & Oates
Last five results:
- 03/03/26: Rotherham United 0-0 Mansfield Town (League One)
- 28/02/26: Mansfield Town 2-2 AFC Wimbledon (League One)
- 21/02/26: Mansfield Town 0-2 Lincoln (League One)
- 17/02/26: Blackpool 1-0 Mansfield Town (League One)
- 14/02/26: Burnley 1-2 Mansfield Town (FA Cup)
Arsenal preview: Rotation expected
Arsenal will be expected to rotate with a busy schedule coming up. Myles Lewis-Skelly is suspended, while William Saliba, Martin Odegaard and Ben White remain injury doubts.
Predicted lineup: Kepa (GK); Salmon, Mosquera, Calafiori, Hincapie; Norgaard, Dowman, Havertz; Madueke, Jesus & Trossard
Last five results:
- 04/03/26: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
- 01/03/26: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
- 22/02/26: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal (Premier League)
- 18/02/26: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Arsenal (Premier League)
- 15/02/26: Arsenal 4-0 Wigan Athletic (FA Cup)
Player to watch: Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz could continue to build his fitness with a start against Mansfield. He has done well in cameos this season, notably scoring Arsenal's winning goal against his former club Chelsea in their Carabao Cup semi-final.