Arsenal is set to play Mansfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup this Saturday, a match that promises to challenge the Gunners both tactically and physically. Managed by Mikel Arteta, the team is currently chasing four trophies, but their journey may be complicated by the difficult playing surface at Mansfield, which has recently been affected by heavy rain. This has created a 'tricky surface' that players will need to adapt to, potentially influencing Arteta's selection decisions.

Mansfield, a League One team, has already faced the adverse conditions when they played AFC Wimbledon, which resulted in a physically demanding match. Wimbledon’s boss highlighted the tough circumstances, indicating that the pitch has deterred a fluid, attractive style of play, which may be equally true for Arsenal. The landscape is set for a match that might not only test Arsenal’s footballing credentials but also their ability to handle external factors such as environment and ground conditions.

As Arsenal aims to progress to the last eight of the FA Cup, they will need to prepare for a battle away from home against a lower division team that thrives on making games challenging for their opponents. The outcome could depend on how well Arteta adjusts his strategy and player selections to navigate the challenges posed by the pitch and the combative style expected from Mansfield’s players.