fa cup draw: Mansfield to host Arsenal as Wrexham welcome Chelsea and Man City head to Newcastle
The fifth round of the FA Cup has produced a mixture of blockbuster Premier League matchups and dream home ties for lower‑league sides. League One Mansfield Town will host 14‑time winners Arsenal, Wrexham are set to welcome Chelsea, and Manchester City travel to Newcastle. The ties are due to be played across the weekend of Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8 ET.
Shock, wonder and Hollywood reactions
One of the headline stories is the draw that pairs Wrexham with Chelsea at the Racecourse Ground. The club’s high‑profile co‑owners were visibly stunned and jubilant as the names were read out, sharing an exuberant reaction on live coverage. It is a tie that instantly captures the imagination: a historic club with a passionate fanbase hosting one of England’s most successful teams, creating a major occasion for supporters and neutrals alike.
Mansfield’s reward for a famous fourth‑round win is a home date with Arsenal. The Stags advanced after staging a remarkable second‑half comeback to beat Premier League opposition away from home, and they now prepare for a fifth‑round appearance the club last reached in 1975. For a League One side to draw a big top‑flight name at home is the sort of storyline the competition is built on.
Premier League heavyweight clashes and potential repeats
There are also high‑profile Premier League ties. Manchester City will travel to Newcastle in a repeat of one of this season’s League Cup semi‑final pairings, ensuring another top‑class showdown. Liverpool have been drawn away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, setting up a tough trip for the Reds after they progressed in the previous round.
These fixtures bring renewed focus on squad management and tactical battles as clubs balance cup ambitions with league campaigns. For managers, the draw raises questions about rotation and how seriously to pursue silverware while maintaining league form, especially with European commitments affecting several contenders.
Lower‑league stories and scheduling notes
There are several intriguing ties for lower‑division clubs beyond Mansfield and Wrexham. Sunderland will face either Port Vale or Bristol City, with that fourth‑round tie having been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. The rescheduled match is set for Tuesday, March 3 at 2: 45 PM ET, with the winner travelling to face Sunderland in the fifth round.
The FA Cup’s random draw once again delivers the mix of David versus Goliath moments that define the competition. For clubs outside the top flight, a fifth‑round tie against one of the country’s traditional powers brings not only prestige but important financial returns and a chance to etch new memories into club history.
All fifth‑round ties are scheduled across the weekend of March 7-8 ET. Teams, supporters and broadcasters will now turn their attention to ticketing details, travel plans and preparations for what promises to be an absorbing weekend of knockout football.
