Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal lost to Fleetwood on penalties in the League Cup.
Fourth-tier Fleetwood beat Arsenal 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, as Arteta rues missed chances and Lawlor celebrates a landmark victory.
Arsenal cup exit disappointment left Mikel Arteta lamenting missed chances after fourth-tier Fleetwood won their League Cup fourth-round tie. Fleetwood beat the Premier League champions 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time.
Jay Lynch saved Bruno Guimaraes’ spot-kick before Conor Haughey converted the penalty that secured Fleetwood’s passage. The result overcame an 84-place gap between the clubs in the English football system.
Earlier, Aaron Loupalo-Bi gave Fleetwood a first-half lead, but Viktor Gyokeres equalised after the interval. Arsenal then finished with 10 men following Max Dowman’s late dismissal for violent conduct.
Arsenal cup exit follows nine changes
Arteta made nine changes with Sunday’s Premier League trip to Liverpool approaching. However, his reshuffled side could not turn their possession and chances into a place in the next round.
The Arsenal manager congratulated Fleetwood and described the defeat as a deeply sad moment. He also defended his players’ attitude, application and determination, including their efforts after Dowman’s dismissal.
Instead, Arteta pointed to the poor opening goal Arsenal conceded, which gave Fleetwood momentum. He said his team needed to make more of their opportunities rather than leave the outcome to penalties.
The defeat followed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton, which brought Arsenal level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City. Before the cup tie, they had won 11 of their previous 13 games.
Dowman dismissal adds to Arsenal’s difficulties
Dowman, 16, received a red card after aiming a kick towards Harrison Neal in the closing stages. Arteta spoke sternly to the midfielder as he left the pitch.
However, the manager declined to offer a full assessment of the incident before reviewing clearer footage. He said his exchange with Dowman concerned something they had already discussed before the match.
Lawlor celebrates Fleetwood’s landmark win
Meanwhile, Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor praised his players for denying Arsenal space and limiting their options. His team defended deep and looked to attack on the counter rather than compete for possession.
Lawlor acknowledged that Fleetwood also needed some luck against opponents he described as the country’s best-organised team. He regarded the occasion as the biggest in the club’s history in terms of visiting opposition.
After the decisive penalty, jubilant Fleetwood supporters ran onto the pitch while Lawlor celebrated tearfully. He said the performance had given the players, club and town reason for pride.
