Eberechi Eze thumped in a 66th-minute winner as Arsenal were given a thorough examination by League One Mansfield Town before edging into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory at the One Call Stadium.
Noni Madueke had put the Premier League leaders ahead just before half-time, only for substitute Will Evans to level early in the second half. Eze, introduced from the bench, then fizzed a shot high past Liam Roberts to break Mansfield hearts and keep alive Mikel Arteta's hopes of a quadruple.
Arteta gambles on youth and a new shape
Arteta made nine changes from the midweek win at Brighton and named a starting XI containing two 16-year-olds. Marli Salmon was handed his first start, while Max Dowman became the youngest player ever to start an FA Cup match for Arsenal at 16 years and 66 days. Arsenal also became the first Premier League side to start with two players aged 16 or under in any competition.