EBERECHI Eze scored the winning goal as Arsenal were tested but overcame a spirited Mansfield Town to move into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
The hosts, who are just five points clear above the relegation zone in League One, heaped pressure on the Premier League leaders before Noni Madueke gave Arsenal the lead just before half-time.
Madueke had earlier forced Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts into a save before the England winger curled the ball into the top corner after Gabriel Martinelli teed him up at the edge of the box.
But this was not the routine win many expected and Kepa Arrizabalaga was forced into smart saves from Rhys Oates and Louis Reed, while Tyler Roberts fired a curling effort just wide in the first half.
Mansfield had 11 shots against Arsenal in the first half, the most the Gunners have faced in the first 45 minutes of a match in all competitions since April 2022.
Mikel Arteta had named two 16-year-olds in his side, with Marli Salmon making his first start for the club and Max Dowman becoming the youngest player to start an FA Cup match for the Gunners at 16 years and 66 days old.
Dowman was excellent and had two chances saved early on in the game before Madueke’s opener.
But the Gunners boss called on seasoned players Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber from the substitutes bench as he looked to avoid a cup upset after Mansfield equalised.
Salmon was involved in Mansfield’s goal when his attempted pass to Cristhian Mosquera was short and substitute Will Evans finished well past Arrizabalaga.
But Eze thumped a shot high into the net in the 66th minute to ensure Arsenal progressed to the next round.
The win keeps alive the possibility of Arsenal winning the quadruple and secures the Gunners’ place in the last eight of the competition for the first time since they won the trophy in Arteta’s first season in 2020.
Arteta made nine changes to his side that beat Brighton in midweek and Arsenal started this game with an unfamiliar three-man defence.
Arsenal, who are usually so dependable at the back, looked shaky at times as a result of that change and the Gunners boss reverted to a familiar back four after an injury to Leandro Trossard.
Arteta put a lot of trust in both Dowman and Salmon to start a game in a cup competition, and Arsenal became the first Premier League side to start with two players aged 16 or under in any competition.
Salmon was tasked with moving into midfield with the ball from defence and to be given such a role in his first start shows how highly-rated he is by the coaches.
Dowman was arguably Arsenal’s best player in the first half and, despite his age, showed the confidence of a seasoned professional to pick up the ball in dangerous areas while always looking to start attacks.
The youngster has been out since December with an ankle injury but produced moments of brilliance to show why he has been training with the first team squad since he was 14.
Salmon was disappointed to come off after his pass gave Mansfield a route back into the match, but the youngster will have learned a lot from playing in a cup match with such a passionate home support.
Arteta was able to rest key players Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Zubimendi, with crucial games in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup final to come.
Arsenal travel to Germany to play Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday (17:45 GMT).