Arteta warns Arsenal to preserve reputation in Mansfield clash

Mikel Arteta has warned his Arsenal stars to ensure the club’s reputation is not tarnished by a giant FA Cup massacre at Mansfield on Saturday.

Arteta’s side were beaten in the 2018 FA Cup by then Championship side Nottingham Forest and have only progressed past the fourth round once since 2017.

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The FA Cup won by Arsenal in 2020 remains the club’s last trophy and the pressure is on to finally end a six-year wait for silverware.

The Premier League leaders face Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley on March 22 as they chase a potential quadruple.

Third-tier Mansfield have already knocked out top opponents this season at Burnley, while also winning at Sheffield United.

Should Nigel Clough’s side pull off a huge upset in the fifth round on Saturday, Arteta fears there could be consequences for the rest of the campaign.

“We’ve been knocked out several times in difficult ways and it’s a terrible feeling,” said Arteta, whose side were knocked out at Manchester United in the third round last season.

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“It feels like it’s damaging your reputation. We don’t want to go through that.”

Arsenal have already beaten League One opponent Wigan in the fourth round and also beat second division Portsmouth, making it their longest cup run since winning the trophy six years ago.

“I’ve been in this country long enough to understand that being favorite doesn’t mean anything,” Arteta said.

“When it comes to this competition, at this time of day, on this pitch, I know they are going to have the belief that they can beat us. We have to be very well prepared.”

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