Arsenal are out of the Carabao Cup after losing on Penalties to League 2 side Fleetwood side in a classically dramatic midweek English cup tie.
Match Report
Arsenal started the game as expected, controlling possession and pushing Fleetwood into their own half.
However, the hosts delivered the first major blow in the 21st minute when Aaron Loupalo-Bi held off Marli Salmon before firing a low effort past debutant goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
The Gunners created opportunities to equalise, with Kai Havertz and Max Dowman among those who failed to make the most of their chances.
Arteta responded by introducing Martin Odegaard and Ben White at the break, and the changes immediately improved Arsenal’s performance.
The visitors found their equaliser just five minutes into the second half when Viktor Gyokeres turned home Ceadach O’Neill’s delivery.
Arsenal continued to push for a winner, but Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch produced several important saves to keep his side in the contest.
The hosts also benefited from a late red card for teenage Arsenal forward Max Dowman, who was sent off after reacting to an opponent during a touchline incident.
With neither side able to find another goal, the match went to penalties.
Fleetwood converted all five of their attempts, while Jay Lynch saved Bruno Guimaraes’ spot-kick to put the hosts in control. Conor Haughey then converted the decisive penalty to send Fleetwood into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
For Arsenal, it was a humiliating evening and a reminder that possession and chances mean little without the clinical finishing to make them count.
The Premier League champions are out, while Fleetwood have secured a night their supporters will remember for years.
