FA Cup 5th-round draw brings multiple positives for Arsenal

The FA Cup fifth-round draw was largely a positive one for Arsenal, with the club to face League One side Mansfield Town for the first time in over 97 years.

Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates Christian Norgaard and Bukayo Saka during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Arsenal and Wigan Athletic on February 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images) — Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images

The FA Cup draw for the fifth round of the competition was held on Monday night, with Arsenal involved after wins over Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic in the previous round.

There were some tricky potential ties on the cards, with three big-six clubs (not including Arsenal) still in the competition, another seven Premier League sides involved, and fan concern about drawing Port Vale or Bristol City away from home.

Though that sounds like a good draw on paper, Port Vale don’t play Bristol City until the week of the fifth round. So until three or four days before the match, supporters wouldn’t know which team they were playing, whether they could get tickets, and what travel arrangements to make.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Noni Madueke of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Bukayo Saka during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Arsenal and Wigan Athletic. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images) — Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images

Fortunately, Arsenal avoided all of the above and instead drew Mansfield Town away from home. Sunderland were the unlucky club stuck waiting on the result of Port Vale-Bristol City, and league title rivals Manchester City were handed a tricky away tie against Newcastle United.

Liverpool and Chelsea also received away draws, though Liverpool will play Premier League strugglers Wolves and Chelsea will face lower-league Wrexham.

The games will all take place on the weekend of March 7th-8th, with the exact details to be confirmed later. Arsenal currently have a Premier League game against Brighton scheduled for March 4th, and they’ll play the Champions League last-16 first leg on March 10th-11th.

The opportunity to rotate against a lower-league side in the FA Cup and go strong against Brighton and in the Champions League is certainly a welcome one.

William Saliba of Arsenal and Joe Taylor of Wigan Athletic during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Arsenal and Wigan Athletic on February 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) — Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Mansfield Town are managed by Nigel Clough, the son of legendary Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough. Though Nigel has faced Arsenal on 25 previous occasions as a player, this will be his first time doing so as a manager.

FA Cup fifth-round draw in full

Fulham v Southampton
Port Vale or Bristol City v Sunderland
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Leeds United v Norwich City
Mansfield Town v Arsenal
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool
Wrexham v Chelsea
West Ham United v Brentford