Arsenal FC narrowly avoided a humiliating FA Cup upset after edging third-tier Mansfield Town 2-1 to keep their historic quadruple bid alive. 

Boss Mikel Arteta gambled with nine changes and nearly paid the price when Mansfield fought back through Will Evans after Noni Madueke’s opener. 

Substitute Eberechi Eze eventually rescued the Gunners with a thunderous strike, but the League One side exposed uncomfortable weaknesses. 

The tie also saw teenage history made as 16-year-old Max Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest FA Cup player. Despite the scare, Arsenal march on, seven points clear in the Premier League and still chasing silverware on four fronts.