League One Mansfield to host Arsenal in fifth round - full FA Cup draw
League One Mansfield to host Arsenal in fifth round - full FA Cup draw
The magic of the FA Cup has returned with a vengeance as the fifth-round draw has thrown up a classic David-and-Goliath encounter that has captured the imagination of football fans across the country. League One side Mansfield Town, fresh from their historic fourth-round heroics, have been handed a dream home tie against Premier League leaders Arsenal. The draw, which took place on Monday evening, has set the stage for a weekend of high drama, featuring a mix of non-league dreams, Championship underdogs, and heavyweight top-flight clashes.
For Mansfield Town, the announcement of a home fixture against the 14-time FA Cup winners is the ultimate reward for their remarkable journey in this year’s competition. The Stags secured their place in the last 16 for the first time in over 50 years following a stunning 2-1 comeback victory against Premier League outfit Burnley at Turf Moor. Nigel Clough’s side showed incredible resilience, overturning a half-time deficit to shock the Clarets and prove once again that league positions count for little when the oldest cup competition in world football is concerned.
The Stags' Glamour Tie Against the Gunners
The upcoming clash at the One Call Stadium, traditionally known as Field Mill, will be a monumental occasion for the town of Mansfield. It marks the first time since 1975 that the club has reached this stage of the competition. For manager Nigel Clough, the fixture carries extra weight. Clough has built a reputation as a giant-killer during his managerial career, notably leading Sheffield United to the semi-finals in 2014. Facing Mikel Arteta's high-flying Arsenal side, who are currently leading the charge for the Premier League title, represents the toughest challenge possible, but one that the Nottinghamshire club will relish.
Arsenal booked their place in the fifth round with a clinical 4-0 demolition of League One side Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium. Despite rotating his squad, Arteta’s men showed no mercy, with four first-half goals effectively ending the contest within 45 minutes. The Gunners remain on course for a historic quadruple, and while they will be heavy favorites to progress past Mansfield, the tight confines of the One Call Stadium and the passionate home support will provide a much different test than their comfortable afternoon in North London. Interestingly, this will be only the second-ever competitive meeting between the two sides; their only previous encounter came nearly a century ago in 1929, when Arsenal triumphed 2-0.
Mansfield’s Louis Reed, who has been instrumental in their cup run, will be looking to replicate the form that saw him score a vital goal against Burnley. The Stags have already navigated past Harrogate Town, Accrington Stanley, and Sheffield United to get to this point, and the prospect of hosting superstars like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard has sent ticket demand in the region into a frenzy. For the local community, it is more than just a game; it is a celebration of a club that is currently punching well above its weight on the national stage.
Hollywood Comes to North Wales: Wrexham Host Chelsea
While Mansfield vs. Arsenal is the standout "fairytale" tie, it is closely rivaled by the news that Championship promotion-chasers Wrexham will host eight-time winners Chelsea at the Racecourse Ground (Y Cae Ras). The Welsh club, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, continues to enjoy a meteoric rise. They reached the fifth round for the first time since 1997 by defeating Ipswich Town 1-0, thanks to a clinical finish from Josh Windass. The "Hollywood" narrative surrounding Wrexham has brought global eyes to the FA Cup, and a home tie against one of the world's most famous clubs ensures that media attention will be at an all-time high.
Chelsea, managed by Liam Rosenior, advanced to this stage following a commanding 4-0 victory over Hull City. The star of that show was Pedro Neto, who netted a brilliant hat-trick, including a goal scored directly from a corner. Chelsea’s form has been resurgent, and while they will be expected to handle the atmosphere in Wrexham, the Blues have a busy schedule ahead. March is set to be a defining month for the London club, with difficult away trips to Arsenal and Aston Villa in the Premier League preceding their visit to North Wales. The prospect of an upset in front of the cameras is exactly what the FA Cup thrives on, and Wrexham’s players will be "licking their lips" at the chance to take a major Premier League scalp.
The draw also produced a mouth-watering all-Premier League clash as Manchester City travel to Newcastle United. This fixture is a repeat of this season’s Carabao Cup semi-final, which Pep Guardiola’s side won 5-1 on aggregate. However, a single-leg knockout game at St James' Park is a different beast entirely. Newcastle, having knocked out Aston Villa in the previous round, will be desperate for revenge and a chance to end their long wait for major silverware. Meanwhile, City are looking to bounce back from their shock loss to Crystal Palace in last season’s final and stay on track for an eighth FA Cup triumph. The match will also see Marc Guehi return to the spotlight after scoring his first goal for City in their fourth-round win over Salford.
Full FA Cup Fifth-Round Draw and Fixture Dates
The fifth round is scheduled to take place across the weekend of March 6-9, 2026. The Football Association has confirmed that winning clubs at this stage will receive £238,500 from the competition prize fund, providing a significant financial boost, particularly for the EFL clubs remaining in the draw. With the quarter-finals scheduled for April, the race to Wembley is entering its most critical phase.
Outside of the headline acts, several other fascinating narratives have emerged. Leeds United will host Norwich City at Elland Road in what is being dubbed the "Daniel Farke Derby." The Leeds manager will face his former club, where he enjoyed significant success, in a tie that pits two historic rivals against one another. Meanwhile, 2022 winners Liverpool face a tricky away trip to Molineux to take on Wolves. Despite Wolves' current struggles at the bottom of the Premier League table, Arne Slot’s side will know that an away game against top-flight opposition is never a guaranteed passage to the next round.
The situation regarding West Ham United remains partially undecided, as they await the winner of the fourth-round tie between non-league Macclesfield and Brentford. Macclesfield, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, are aiming to produce another massive upset after knocking out defending champions Crystal Palace in round three. Finally, the tie between Port Vale and Bristol City, which was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, will be played on March 3, with the winner hosting Championship side Sunderland.
As the countdown to March begins, the excitement is palpable. Whether it is Mansfield Town dreaming of the ultimate upset against Arsenal, Wrexham looking to continue their Hollywood story against Chelsea, or the heavyweights of City and Newcastle clashing in the north-east, the fifth round of the FA Cup promises to deliver the kind of drama that only this competition can provide.
League One Mansfield to host Arsenal in fifth round - full FA Cup draw
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