Mansfield Town vs Arsenal: FA Cup preview, kick-off time, TV details and team news

Mansfield Town will be looking to pull off one of the great FA Cup upsets when they host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday.

The hosts have already stunned Premier League opposition when they beat Burnley 2-1 away from home in the last round, a result that quickly became one of the standout stories of this season’s competition. Nigel Clough’s side produced a disciplined and resilient performance at Turf Moor, soaking up pressure for long periods before striking at key moments. Victories like that are what have made the FA Cup famous for more than a century, where teams from the lower divisions can defy expectations and create unforgettable nights.

Saturday’s tie now offers Mansfield another chance to extend their remarkable run. Arsenal arrive as strong favourites given their position at the summit of the Premier League and the depth of talent available to Mikel Arteta, but knockout football has a long history of shocks. For Mansfield supporters, the visit of one of England’s biggest clubs represents a special occasion at the One Call Stadium and an opportunity for the players to test themselves against elite opposition.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this fifth round clash…

Kick-off time

12:15pm UK time, Saturday 7th March

The match is scheduled for an early lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, meaning it will be one of the first major FA Cup ties of the weekend. With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, both teams will want to start strongly and set the tone early in what promises to be an intense cup encounter.

How to watch in the UK and overseas

Live on TNT Sports 1

Supporters in the UK will be able to watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with the broadcaster providing full television coverage of this FA Cup fifth-round tie. Build-up programming is expected to begin ahead of the 12:15pm kick-off, giving viewers access to expert analysis, team news and pre-match discussion before the action gets underway.

Subscribers who receive TNT Sports through their TV provider can simply tune in to TNT Sports 1 to watch the match live. Coverage will include commentary throughout the game, along with half-time analysis and post-match reaction once the final whistle is blown.

For many fans, the FA Cup remains one of the most exciting competitions in English football, and TNT Sports’ broadcast ensures viewers can follow every key moment as Mansfield attempt to produce another famous upset against the Premier League leaders.

Streaming via Discovery+

Fans who prefer watching matches online can stream the game via Discovery+, the digital platform that carries TNT Sports content. The service allows subscribers to watch live sport across a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs.

Once logged in, viewers can access the TNT Sports live stream directly through the platform, making it possible to follow the match from virtually anywhere with a reliable internet connection. This flexibility makes Discovery+ particularly convenient for supporters who may not be watching from home but still want to stay connected to the action.

The platform also offers additional features such as live broadcasts, match replays and highlights, giving football fans multiple ways to catch up with the biggest moments from the FA Cup clash.

How fans overseas or travelling are watching

Supporters travelling abroad sometimes discover that the streaming services they normally use in the UK are not accessible in certain countries due to regional broadcasting restrictions. In these situations, many fans turn to a VPN, which works by routing your internet connection through a secure server located in another country.

This process allows websites and streaming platforms to recognise your device as connecting from that region, meaning you can sign in to your usual services even while travelling. Alongside accessibility, connections are encrypted, helping to protect personal data and browsing activity when using public Wi-Fi networks in places such as airports, hotels or cafés.

Fans choose services such as ExpressVPN because of its large global server network and fast connection speeds, both of which are important for watching live sport without interruptions. With dedicated apps available across phones, computers and smart TVs, users can quickly select a server location before logging in to their preferred streaming platform and following the match as normal.

Injuries and suspensions

Mansfield Town: Liam Roberts (out)

Arsenal: Mikel Merino (out), Ben White (doubt), Martin Odegaard (doubt), William Saliba (out)

Both teams head into the match dealing with a few injury concerns that could influence selection decisions.

Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts is ruled out, meaning the hosts will rely on alternative options between the posts as they prepare for one of the biggest matches of their season. Facing a team with Arsenal’s attacking quality will present a significant challenge for whoever starts in goal.

Arsenal also have several players unavailable or doubtful. William Saliba’s absence removes an important presence from the centre of defence, while Ben White and Martin Odegaard are both doubts ahead of the fixture. Mikel Merino is also unavailable, leaving Mikel Arteta with decisions to make regarding his midfield balance.

Even so, Arsenal possess considerable depth throughout their squad, and the visitors are still expected to field a strong side capable of controlling possession and creating opportunities.

Predicted line-ups

Mansfield Town (3-4-2-1): Roberts; Knoyle, Oshilaja, Blake-Tracy; Akins, Lewis, Reed, McLaughlin; Evans, Roberts; Oates

Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa; Mosquera, Salmon, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Norgaard, Havertz; Madueke, Jesus, Trossard

Mansfield are expected to stick with the three-at-the-back system that has helped them remain competitive in recent matches. The formation allows them to remain compact defensively while using wing-backs to provide width during counterattacks.

Arsenal will likely continue with their familiar 4-3-3 system, which allows them to dominate possession and stretch opponents with wide attackers. Even with several injury concerns, the Gunners still have plenty of quality available across the pitch.

Recent form

Mansfield Town’s last victory came in the FA Cup when they defeated Burnley. Aside from that shock result, however, the hosts have not won since mid-January, a run that has included six draws and three defeats.

While the results have been mixed, several of those matches have been closely contested. Mansfield have often proved difficult to break down, and that defensive organisation could prove crucial if they are to frustrate Arsenal in front of their home supporters.

The hosts currently sit 16th in League One, just five points clear of the relegation zone. Their main priority remains securing their league status, but a strong showing in the FA Cup could provide a welcome boost in confidence for the remainder of the campaign.

Arsenal, on the other hand, extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory away at Brighton, a result made even sweeter with title rivals Manchester City dropping points at home to Nottingham Forest.

That win means that, after a brief wobble in mid-February threatened to slow their momentum, Arsenal have now won three league games in a row and appear firmly back on track in their pursuit of the title. Arteta’s team have shown resilience during this run, grinding out results even in demanding fixtures.

With the Premier League title race intensifying, the FA Cup represents another opportunity for silverware this season, and Arsenal will be determined to avoid becoming the latest top-flight side to fall victim to a cup upset.

What’s been said?

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough said: “Players know the gulf. We’re a bottom half of the League One table side playing against the top of the Premier League. Without breaking a sweat, they could easily demolish us.

“It was Liverpool here 13 years ago and supporters still talk about it. You are trying to create memories so fans are in the pub in five or 10 years can say ‘do you remember when Arsenal came to the One Call and we gave them a good game?Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta following his side’s win over Brighton on Wednesday: “We’re coming off a lot of difficult games with a lot of intensity and players going through every game with difficulties and not able to train and to come here and get a result is remarkable.”