Mansfield to Host Arsenal as fa cup draw Reveals Fifth-Round Ties
The fifth-round draw for the FA Cup has produced a number of compelling ties, with League One side Mansfield Town handed a glamour home tie against Arsenal and Manchester City ordered to travel to Newcastle. Matches are due to be played across the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET), with one fourth-round replay set for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 2: 45 PM ET.
Giant-killing potential and headline fixtures
Mansfield’s reward for a dramatic second-half comeback at Burnley is a visit from the Gunners, a draw that produces a classic David-vs-Goliath storyline. The Stags have reached the fifth round for the first time since 1975, setting up a rare and high-profile home tie that will attract national attention and a large away following.
There are two all-Premier League matchups of note. Manchester City will head to Newcastle in a repeat of this season’s League Cup semi-final pairing, guaranteeing another intense meeting between two title-chasing sides. Wolves will host Liverpool in another top-flight tie that pits European-experienced opposition against a club with strong cup pedigree.
Arguably the most talked-about lower-league assignment sees Championship promotion hopefuls Wrexham draw Chelsea away. Wrexham, who climbed back into the Championship after consecutive promotions, will test themselves against an eight-time FA Cup winner in a tie that has narrative appeal well beyond the result.
Schedule, replays and what to watch
The majority of fifth-round ties are penciled in for the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET). One fourth-round fixture that was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch will be completed on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 2: 45 PM ET; its winner will travel to Sunderland for a subsequent fifth-round game.
Key storylines to follow include how lower-league clubs handle high-profile visitors, squad rotation from top-flight sides balancing league and European commitments, and the potential for replays or extra-time in tightly contested ties. Home advantage could be decisive in cup matches—Mansfield will seek to exploit familiar surroundings against a technically gifted opponent.
Implications for clubs and fans
For Mansfield, progression to the fifth round is a landmark moment and represents a significant financial and reputational opportunity. Hosting a club with Arsenal’s stature will likely boost ticket sales and local interest. Wrexham’s clash with Chelsea continues the club’s rise up the football ladder and offers another platform to measure their Championship credentials.
For the big Premier League clubs, the draw presents both risk and reward. Cup success can bolster momentum and confidence, but it also complicates squad management amid a congested calendar. Fans of mid- and lower-table sides will be acutely aware that the FA Cup often produces upsets, and this round promises several matches where the favourites cannot afford complacency.
As clubs prepare for the weekend of March 7-8, 2026 (ET), attention will shift to exact kick-off times, ticket allocations, and travel plans. The draw has set the stage for what could be a memorable fifth round, with romance and rivalry both firmly on the menu.
