Spanish coach Mikel Arteta warned Arsenal players against underestimating their match against Mansfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup, emphasizing that cup matches against smaller teams can turn into a dangerous trap if not approached with full concentration.

This match is seen as a classic encounter between a major team competing for titles and a lower-ranked team looking for an upset.

Arsenal is experiencing an exceptional season, as they are still competing in several tournaments simultaneously, keeping the dream of a quadruple alive. However, the congested match schedule forces Arteta to consider rotating the squad, especially with an important European encounter against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League approaching. Nevertheless, the coach emphasized that any complacency in the cup match could cost the team dearly and affect the rest of the season.

Mansfield's coach, Nigel Clough, is aware of the significant difference in quality between the two teams, but he believes that the stadium atmosphere and the enthusiasm of the fans might give his team a chance to create a historic surprise. Mansfield is participating in this stage of the tournament for the first time in over half a century, making the match an exceptional event for the club and its supporters.

Arteta emphasized that the best way to avoid a shock is through serious preparation and respecting the opponent, noting that being eliminated from the tournament under such circumstances leaves a significant negative impact.

He said that the team has learned from previous painful experiences in the cup, and therefore, this time they aim to "earn the right to win" on the field and avoid any scenario that might turn the team's journey into a sad ending.