Arsenal Player Ratings: Max Dowman Makes History with Stellar Performance, While Two First-Team Stars Struggle with 4/10 Against Mansfield

ARSENAL progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 2-1 win away to Mansfield Town.

gave the Gunners the lead, before a mistake from teenage defender Marli Salmon allowed Will Evans to level for the hosts.

Noni Madueke put Arsenal ahead with a brilliant finishCredit: Getty Eberechi Eze scored a second-half winner for ArsenalCredit: Getty

Substitute then delivered the killer blow with a composed finish to send through to the next round.

Here’s how SunSport’s Arsenal reporter Simon Collings rated the Gunners players…

Kepa Arrizabalaga 6

Continued his role of being Arsenal’s ‘cup keeper’ this season.

Forced into a few early saves as Mansfield made a bright start.

Solid from crosses, although he may feel he could have done better with Evans’ goal, which was quite close to him.

Marli Salmon 5

A tough afternoon for the 16-year-old on his full debut. Gifted the ball to Evans for his goal with a sloppy pass.

Had his heart in his mouth, too, when George Abbot went down claiming Salmon had clipped him.

He was taken off shortly after that. Chalk this down as an experience to learn from.

The 16-year-old Salmon made his Arsenal debut against Club Brugge in the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters

Cristhian Mosquera 5

Almost punished early on when Louis Reed got past him on the byline.

A bit shaky at times, and he was partly at fault for the Mansfield goal.

Mosquera backed off Evans and then was skinned by the Mansfield man.

Riccardo Calafiori 6

Started a game for just the third time since Christmas Day, with injuries and Hincapie’s form keeping him out of the team.

Did not pull up any trees, nor surge forward like he usually does.

Calafiori was awarded a rare startCredit: AP

Christian Nørgaard 7

Deployed at the base of midfield behind a load of attacking players, so had a fair bit of ground to cover.

Solid, as ever, and was neat and tidy on the ball. Assisted Eze for his thunderbolt that won the game.

Noni Madueke 7

Struck the woodwork directly from a corner – and skied one effort into the car park – before opening the scoring with a lovely, curling effort.

Blew hot and cold, as he is prone to doing, yet he caused Mansfield more problems than many of Arsenal’s other forwards.

Max Dowman 8

Caught the eye with his dancing footwork, even on this muddy pitch, as he became Arsenal’s youngest ever player.

Will have been frustrated to have not scored, because he had two decent chances inside the opening 30 minutes.

Should have had an assist in the second half, but Jesus fluffed his lines.

Max Dowman impressed against Mansfield TownCredit: Getty

Leandro Trossard 5

Flashed an effort over the crossbar midway through the first half, which summed up his afternoon.

The Belgian was wasteful with his final pass or shot. Forced off before half time due to injury.

Gabriel Martinelli 4

Teed up Madueke for the opening goal, however he was largely poor in possession.

Wasted a great opening inside the box, when Dowman had found him, by firing straight at the keeper.

His performance was summed up by spurning a good chance right at the death.

Kai Havertz 6

A quiet afternoon for the German, who was starting his first game since the beginning of February.

He has struggled with injury, so this was a good test and Arteta will be pleased Havertz came through it unscathed.

Havertz came through the game unscathedCredit: Getty

Gabriel Jesus 4

Captain for the day, but he did not seize the chance of getting a rare start up front.

Missed an absolutely golden chance in the second half when Dowman’s cut-back left him with the goal gaping from six yards out.

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Piero Hincapie (Trossard 38’) 7

Would have been hoping for an afternoon off, especially after the shift he put in at Brighton in midweek.

But was forced on early – and at centre-back – because Trossard picked up an injury. Steady stuff.

Hincapie was forced on early after an injury to TrossardCredit: Reuters

Eberechi Eze (Havertz 62’) 7

Off the bench and on the scoresheet.

Found the top corner with an emphatic finish, which just underlined how others had been so wasteful.

Eze clearly loves the FA Cup.

Jurrien Timber (Salmon 62’) 6

Brought on to steady the ship at the right-back – and did exactly that.

Forced to finish the game on the other flank, though, when Calafiori came off.

Jaden Dixon (Calafiori 76’) N/A

Jaden Dixon made a cameo appearance in the latter stagesCredit: Reuters

Bukayo Saka (Dowman 77’) N/A

Subs not used: Setford, Gyokeres, Harriman-Annous, Ibrahim