By ISAAN KHAN, REPORTER

Published: 22:30, 6 March 2026 | Updated: 22:31, 6 March 2026

Mikel Arteta has said League One Mansfield Town’s patchy pitch has left him cautious of his team selection as he looks to limit potential injuries to senior players for the serious business ahead. 

The Gunners visit Field Mill on Saturday lunchtime in the FA Cup fifth round, continuing their pursuit of a historic quadruple. 

Yet Arteta may not want to risk his star men on a pitch that is already bare in patches and likely to be muddy as the game progresses. 

That puts players like 16-year-old Max Dowman and utility man Christian Norgaard in contention for starts. 

Asked if conditions might dictate his selections, Arteta said: ‘It can do, especially if there is a player that is carrying some injuries.

‘The pitch can affect him in the wrong way, especially certain muscles. But hopefully we're going to have the ones that we need.

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