Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough says it is “actually easier” to prepare for the visit of Arsenal than some of the sides his players usually face in the third tier of the EFL.
Having come from behind to knock out fourth-tier teams Accrington Stanley and Harrogate Town in the first two rounds, the Stags shocked Championship side Sheffield United away and again overcame a deficit to win at Premier League strugglers Burnley in the fourth round, setting up their tie with the top-flight leaders.
“We don’t know who they’re going to play,” laughed Clough, expecting Arsenal to field a much-changed line-up.
“But we know that anybody in their 25 who they do play will be at an incredible level. They have some exceptional players.
“We know roughly what their formation will be and [that they] will be incredibly strong at set plays. In terms of open play and what their individual players can do, it’s a little bit harder.
“Our players know the gulf – we’re a bottom-half-of-League-One side playing against the team who are top of the Premier League. Without breaking sweat, they could easily demolish us.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hailed his side’s Premier League victory over Brighton in midweek as “huge” – a win that saw the Gunners extend their lead at the top to seven points.
Arteta’s men remain in the hunt for four trophies this season and the Spanish head coach will be hoping to preserve that fact by avoiding a potential cup upset on Saturday.
Mansfield v Arsenal team news
Mansfield defenders Baily Cargill and Ryan Sweeney have long-term hamstring injuries. Luke Bolton is out with a calf issue the former Manchester City wideman sustained during the 0-0 draw at Rotherham United on Tuesday.
Centre-back William Saliba (ankle), full-back Ben White (muscular) and midfielder Martin Odegaard (knee) are doubts for Arsenal, who are unlikely to risk players during a cup campaign in which head coach Mikel Arteta has rotated his starting line-up.
Kepa Arrizabalaga replaced first-choice goalkeeper David Raya for their 4-1 win at second-tier Portsmouth in the third round and 4-0 home victory over League One strugglers Wigan Athletic in their subsequent tie.
Winger Max Dowman made his return from an ankle injury as an unused substitute for the 1-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday but midfielder Mikel Merino is out after foot surgery and full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly is suspended.
