Dowman makes history again… and the hype is fully justified

Chants of “super Maxy Dowman” from the away end accompanied the midfielder’s every move.

With 16-year-old defender Marli Salmon also starting, Arsenal became the first Premier League side to start a competitive game with two players at that age.

Arteta said: “When the ball is bouncing all over the place, and people are all over his back, Max is just incredible, especially with the speed he delivers.

“I’m very proud of him and Marli, and that says a lot about their personality and the quality they have. They need to continue to work and this is the first step for them to take. I think everyone feels involved.

“We have the desire that, game by game, we can get closer to things that we can achieve.”

Arsenal’s journey now takes them to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday in the Champions League, and the prospect of Arteta’s second FA Cup triumph remains in his grasp.

They were far from their best here, with Mansfield – 60 places below Arsenal in the football pyramid, and with a squad constructed for a mere £265,000 – playing their part in an absorbing contest.

Arsenal’s back three of Salmon, plus Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori appeared nervous and hesitant, and Mansfield momentarily sensed it. There was a glorious moment for the League One club six minutes into the second half when Will Evans, a substitute, equalised with a finish of real composure.

Yet Arsenal required Eze to bounce off the bench to produce a ruthless finish from inside the area, leaving Mansfield to now focus exclusively on their battle to avoid relegation.