🏏 Sat, 7 Mar 2026 12:15 GMT
Mansfield Town
vs
Arsenal FC
3-5-2 vs 3-5-1-1
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- An FA Cup fourth-round tie and a notable giant-killing candidate, as League One (third-tier) Mansfield host Premier League heavyweights Arsenal at home. Mansfield reached this stage by beating Championship side Burnley in the previous round, and the in-form hosts will look to spring another upset.
- Mansfield set up in a 3-5-2 formation, and the likely plan is to defend with five at the back and look to counter. The front two of Tyler Roberts and Rhys Oates will press Arsenal's centre-backs and try to make the most of their limited chances.
- Arsenal adopt an unusual 3-5-1-1 rather than their usual shape. Gabriel Jesus plays as a lone striker and Kai Havertz in the hole, while Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke start in wing-back positions, an attacking line-up.
- Arsenal have rotated for the cup tie. Kepa Arrizabalaga is used in goal, and the back line features Calafiori and Mosquera alongside young Marli Salmon. League regulars Saka, Gyokeres and Timber are rested on the bench.
- Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres wait on the bench and are likely to be introduced depending on how the game unfolds. Saka in particular is one of the Premier League's premier wingers and the player Mansfield's defence must watch most closely, with the power to transform the game even from the bench.
- Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts is a left-footed keeper who won the League Two Golden Glove and kept 20 clean sheets during his time at Northampton. With Arsenal's onslaught expected, the goalkeeper's performance is a condition for any giant-killing.
- Christian Norgaard starts in Arsenal's midfield. The Denmark international anchor tightens up the middle and, alongside Max Dowman, takes charge of circulating the ball. Leandro Trossard also features in the second line, with a goal-laden attack threatening Mansfield's goal.
- The challenge of a lower-league side is one of the great joys of the FA Cup. Drawing on past deep cup runs and backed by their home crowd, Mansfield face a historic tie against a Premier League giant. Can they carry the momentum of beating Burnley straight into this match?