Mikel Arteta: Arsenal’s standing on the line against Mansfield
Mikel Arteta cautioned that Arsenal’s standing could be adversely affected if they are eliminated from the FA Cup by League One team Mansfield Town on Saturday.
Arsenal suffered defeats in the third round against Nottingham Forest, then in the Championship, in both 2018 and 2022, and have advanced past the fourth round only once since 2017.
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The club’s last trophy came from winning the competition in 2020 during Arteta’s inaugural season, and there is mounting pressure to conclude a six-year wait for silverware.
They are set to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22, one of four trophies they are pursuing, alongside the Premier League and Champions League.
Mansfield has already eliminated top-tier opposition this season, defeating Burnley and securing a win against Sheffield United away.
If Nigel Clough’s team manages to cause another upset at One Call Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Arteta is concerned there could be repercussions for the remainder of his team’s season.
“We’ve experienced a few difficult exits, and it’s a dreadful feeling,” stated Arteta, whose team was eliminated by Manchester United in last season’s third round. “It feels like it tarnishes your reputation. We want to avoid that.”
Arsenal has previously triumphed over League One rivals Wigan in the fourth round, albeit at home, and they also navigated a challenging match away against Championship side Portsmouth, marking their longest cup run since their victory six years ago.
“I’ve been here long enough to realize that being the favorite holds little significance,” Arteta remarked. “In this competition, at that moment, in that venue, I know they will have the belief and conviction to defeat us. We must be thoroughly prepared.”
The pitch at One Call Stadium was notably in poor shape during Mansfield’s last home match, a 2-2 draw against AFC Wimbledon last Saturday, as a wet start to 2026 has severely impacted the surface.
“It’s to be expected,” Arteta commented. “That’s the charm of this competition. You have to go there and adapt. We’ve all played in those types of stadiums. We need to adjust to the circumstances and make the most of it.”
Mansfield manager Clough is the son of two-time European Cup champion Brian Clough, who not only led Forest to European glory in 1979 and 1980 but also secured the club’s only top division title in 1978.
When asked about his knowledge of the Clough family legacy, Arteta replied: “I will learn much more after tomorrow. I’m always very interested in reading reports to grasp the history and values they possess, to better understand what they will aim to achieve.”
