Arteta Shakes Up Arsenal Squad with Major Overhaul Against Mansfield—Latest Injury Updates and Starting XI Revealed
All of a sudden, optimism has returned to Arsenal Football Club. The pessimism from a fortnight past has vanished completely, with Arsenal fans now genuinely enthusiastic about the possibility of a trophy-filled end to the 2025–26 campaign.
The potential demotion of arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, no longer seeming impossible, would bring as much happiness as any of their own achievements.
A historic quadruple remains within reach for this Arsenal squad, as their FA Cup journey continues against another English Football League (EFL) side. League One's Mansfield Town awaits them next, as they seek a comfortable progression to the quarterfinals.
Major Squad Changes Anticipated for FA Cup Match
Major Squad Changes Anticipated for FA Cup Match
Arteta sees Saturday's cup fixture as an ideal chance to give his key players a break before Arsenal's Champions League return next week.
Players such as Gabriel, Piero Hincapié, Jurriën Timber, Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi and Bukayo Saka are all expected to start on the substitutes' bench this weekend, with Arteta potentially leaving some major names at home entirely.
William Saliba was absent from Wednesday's 1–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion with an ankle problem, while Ben White and Martin Ødegaard are nursing minor injuries that make their availability for Saturday questionable. Mikel Merino remains the only confirmed unavailable player.
Max Dowman has recently recovered from an ankle issue, and he might get some playing time in Nottinghamshire.
Arsenal Expected Starting XI vs. Mansfield (4-3-3)
Arsenal Expected Starting XI vs. Mansfield (4-3-3)
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga—The Spanish keeper has been Arsenal's preferred choice for domestic cup matches this season, allowing David Raya some deserved rest.
RB: Marli Salmon—Should Ben White remain unavailable, 16-year-old Salmon could get his chance on Saturday afternoon. The youngster made his Champions League debut in December.
CB: Cristhian Mosquera—The summer signing is among the few who might keep their place from Wednesday's narrow victory at Brighton.
CB: Riccardo Calafiori—Mosquera won't have Gabriel alongside him this weekend, with Calafiori—who excelled as a centre-back at Bologna—coming back into the side after losing his starting position to Piero Hincapié.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly—The England World Cup candidate has received limited chances to showcase his abilities this season, despite being Arsenal's standout performer last campaign. With Gabriel and Hincapié rested, the academy product should start at Mansfield.
DM: Christian Nørgaard—With Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi being used extensively together, Nørgaard has waited patiently for starting opportunities.
CM: Eberechi Eze—With limited midfield alternatives available, Arteta might choose a more attacking approach against League One opponents. Eze continues to struggle against teams other than Tottenham Hotspur.
CM: Kai Havertz—Havertz came back from another injury problem last week and could feature in midfield this weekend. The German was originally brought in to replace Granit Xhaka before being successfully repositioned as a striker.
RW: Noni Madueke—The English winger is guaranteed to return to the starting lineup, giving Bukayo Saka, Wednesday's goal scorer, a much-needed break.
ST: Gabriel Jesus—Jesus has become somewhat overlooked in north London, though he has made occasional starts and contributed the occasional goal. The Brazilian found the net in the comprehensive win over Wigan Athletic in the last round.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli—He's been Arsenal's regular choice in cup matches this season, so Martinelli will probably maintain his position on the left ahead of Leandro Trossard.