Eze thunderbolt guides Arsenal past Mansfield into FA Cup quarter-finals

MANSFIELD, England, March 7 : Arsenal survived a genuine scare in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday as they edged past spirited third-tier Mansfield Town 2-1, with Eberechi Eze's thunderbolt sending the Premier League leaders into the quarter-finals.

Noni Madueke gave Arsenal the lead going into halftime at Field Mill but Will Evans equalised for Nigel Clough's Mansfield before Eze scored in the 66th minute to ensure the top-flight side progressed to the last eight.

"Happy to score. I had the space and the opportunity to shoot. So I took it," Eze told TNT Sports.

"It was a difficult environment to play in. But we did what we had to do and we are through to next round which is the important thing."

Mikel Arteta named a much-changed side, starting teenagers Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, as Arsenal became the first Premier League side to start a competitive game with two players aged 16 or under in any competition.

However, Arteta's changes nearly backfired as the hosts, feeding off a raucous home crowd, gave Arsenal a genuine fright with aggressive pressing and infectious energy that clearly unsettled the visitors.

"Before the game, the gaffer said, 'Just have a go. We were not expected to win the game, so have a go and enjoy it'," Mansfield forward Rhys Oates said.

"We created more chances than we thought we could and we have given them a game."

Dowman, Arsenal's youngest-ever FA Cup player at 16, emerged as a lively attacking threat as the top-flight side gradually found their rhythm before Madueke broke the deadlock in the 41st minute.

Madueke, who had an initial shot saved, curled a powerful finish into the far corner to give Arsenal their 100th goal of the season in all competitions.

Clough brought on Evans for the second half