By Fatma Younis
Arsenal suffered a shock exit from the Carabao Cup after losing 5-3 on penalties to Fleetwood Town following a 1-1 draw at Highbury Stadium. The Premier League champions dominated with 26 shots and 78% possession but were undone by a late red card to 16-year-old winger Max Dowman and a poor shootout performance.
Dowman sent off after reaction to challenge
Dowman, making his second start of the season, was dismissed in the 85th minute for a movement towards Fleetwood's Harrison Neal following a heavy challenge. Referee Michael Salisbury showed a straight red card, the second for Dowman this month after he was also sent off playing for England Under-19s. Manager Mikel Arteta gave the teenager a scathing look and exchanged words as he left the pitch, later revealing it was "something that we discussed already before the match" regarding emotional discipline.
Arteta's reaction draws criticism
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson questioned Arteta's public rebuke, saying: "If that's Viktor Gyokeres, he isn't doing that. He's a human being." Merson suggested Arteta would regret the moment. Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman said Dowman's inexperience showed and he must learn quickly from the incident.
Experimental lineup and drone delay
Arteta fielded a youthful side including debutant Ceadach O'Neill (18), centre-back Marli Salmon (17), and goalkeeper Illan Meslier making his first start, alongside senior internationals Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres. The match was delayed for over eight minutes early on when a drone flew over the pitch. Despite introducing captain Martin Odegaard and £75m signing Bruno Guimaraes from the bench, Arsenal could not break down the League Two side.
Wide options depleted ahead of Liverpool
Arsenal have not won the League Cup for 33 years, with previous upset losses to Bradford City (2012) and Sheffield Wednesday (2015). With Dowman suspended, Bukayo Saka out for six weeks, Christos Tzolis recovering and Noni Madueke injured, Arteta faces severely limited wide options for Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.
