A wasteful night at Fleetwood
Arsenal were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Fleetwood Town after a 1-1 draw, and the shootout went against them. [1] reports that Aaron Loupalo-Bi gave Fleetwood the lead in the 21st minute and that Viktor Gyökeres equalised. It was Gyökeres’ first goal of the season. Most reports put the shootout at 5-3 to Fleetwood, though a couple of write-ups give slightly different scores.
The numbers show how lopsided the match was. According to [2], Arsenal had 26 shots and 78% possession. Mikel Arteta said 19 of those shots were off target and that Kai Havertz missed three or four top chances, according to [3]. Two of Havertz’s misses came in quick succession in the 59th minute.
It was also a night of changes. Illan Meslier made his Arsenal debut in goal ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga, and teenager Cedach O’Neill made his first start, per [4]. In the shootout, Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved Bruno Guimarães’ penalty. Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor called it the biggest night in the club’s history.
Dowman’s red card and the appeal
The most damaging moment came late. Max Dowman, 16, was sent off for violent conduct after kicking out following a challenge from Harrison Neal, according to [1]. Sky Sports places the dismissal in the 90th minute, with Arsenal finishing the match with ten men.
As it stands, Dowman faces a three-match suspension, and Arsenal will appeal, [5] says. The club hopes for a decision before the Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday. Opinion is split. Former referee Dermot Gallagher expects the appeal to fail, while Paul Merson and Jobi McAnuff felt the red card was harsh, according to [6]. Gallagher’s view is a prediction rather than a ruling, so treat it with caution.
The timing matters because Dowman’s chance had come from injuries. A Sky Sports preview noted that Bukayo Saka’s absence had opened the door for the teenager to play regularly, and that he was expected to be the creative focal point at Fleetwood. Unless the appeal succeeds, that opening closes for at least three games.
Thin on the wings, solid at the back
Arsenal’s injury list is the bigger concern. Bukayo Saka is expected to be out for around six weeks, and Noni Madueke is unavailable, as Arteta confirmed after the Fleetwood match, per [2]. Christos Tzolis is also injured and working his way back. With Dowman suspended as well, the wide areas are short of options.
At the other end, the picture is healthier despite William Saliba’s absence. [7] reports that Saliba remains out with a long-term back issue, with no return date, though he is doing individual training on grass. Gabriel Magalhães and Ezri Konsa have formed the regular central pairing. Arsenal have kept five clean sheets in eight league games, more than any other Premier League side, and have conceded the fewest goals.
That contrast explains the team’s recent profile. The defence has been dependable, but the cup exit showed a lack of cutting edge when the attack was rotated and short of its best wide players.
What it means
Arsenal are second in the Premier League with 21 points from 8 games: seven wins, no draws and one defeat, with 13 goals scored and 5 conceded. The recent league form is strong. Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 at home on 24 October, won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on 18 October and beat Leeds 2-1 on 10 October. In the Champions League they drew 2-2 at Bayern München and beat Lille 3-0. The Fleetwood loss is the only recent blemish, and it came in a different competition with a changed side.
The next fixture is Liverpool v Arsenal on 1 November, and it asks different questions from the cup tie. Arsenal’s defensive record should travel, but without Saka, Madueke, Tzolis and possibly Dowman, they will need creativity from elsewhere. They also cannot afford the profligacy seen at Fleetwood against a side of Liverpool’s quality. The site’s forecast for the match locks 24 hours before kick-off, so the final team news, including the appeal outcome, will shape it.
Sources
- BBC Sport: 'Biggest night in club's history' for fearless Fleetwood bbc.co.uk ↩
- BBC Sport: Dowman sees red as Arsenal dumped out, but did Arteta go too far? bbc.co.uk ↩
- Sky Sports: Arteta explains reaction to Dowman red card amid criticism skysports.com ↩
- Sky Sports: Arsenal dumped out of Carabao Cup by League Two Fleetwood skysports.com ↩
- BBC Sport: Arsenal to appeal against Dowman red card bbc.co.uk ↩
- Sky Sports: Ref Watch: Arsenal's red card appeal will fail - Dowman was aggressive skysports.com ↩
- BBC Sport: No Saliba, no problem - Konsa stepping up for Arsenal bbc.co.uk ↩
