The FA Cup’s magic returned with a flourish on Monday as the fifth-round draw served up a feast of storylines — from David-versus-Goliath theatre in Nottinghamshire to a heavyweight rematch in the north-east. League One Mansfield earned the spotlight after their stunning 2-1 comeback at Burnley, and now they will welcome Premier League leaders Arsenal for a tie that promises noise, passion and the kind of upset every cup lover dreams about.
Mansfield’s Moment and Arsenal’s Test
Mansfield’s victory over Burnley was the weekend’s standout shock, and the reward is a home date with Mikel Arteta’s free-scoring Arsenal. The Gunners, fresh from a ruthless 4-0 dismantling of Wigan at the Emirates, remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple — but first they must navigate the unpredictable energy of a lower-league side riding a wave of belief.
Big Rematch in the North East
A blockbuster clash awaits as Newcastle draw Manchester City, a fixture already rich with recent history. City eliminated Newcastle from the League Cup earlier this month, and the two will meet for a fifth time this season in a tie that reads like a mini-series: tactical chess, raw intensity and the chance for revenge.
Hollywood Glamour and Home Comforts
The draw also hands Chelsea a trip to Wrexham, the Hollywood-backed underdogs who have already toppled Premier League opposition this season. Liverpool face a tricky away test at struggling Wolves, while non-league romance continues as sixth-tier Macclesfield — famous for dumping Crystal Palace out in round three — host Brentford with the winner set to travel to West Ham.
What to Expect from March 6–9
The last-16 ties will be played from March 6–9, a four-day window guaranteed to deliver drama, late goals and perhaps another classic FA Cup upset. Expect packed terraces, tactical tweaks, and managers juggling squad rotation with the irresistible lure of cup glory.
Full Draw
• Fulham v Southampton
• Port Vale or Bristol City v Sunderland
• Newcastle v Manchester City
• Leeds v Norwich
• Mansfield v Arsenal
• Wolves v Liverpool
• Wrexham v Chelsea
• West Ham v Macclesfield or Brentford
The FA Cup’s romance is alive and well: underdogs dreaming, giants defending legacies, and every tie a potential headline. As the calendar flips to March, the nation braces for four days of knockout theatre where anything can — and often does — happen.
