Arsenal were eliminated from the Carabao Cup after a penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Fleetwood, in one of the great cup upsets. The Gunners failed to perform at Highbury Stadium and ultimately got what they deserved.
Match Report
Aaron Loupalo-Bi put Fleetwood in front, and although Viktor Gyokeres equalised in the second half, Arsenal's miserable night continued when Max Dowman was shown a straight red card. The shootout saw Bruno Guimaraes' saved penalty prove crucial, as Conor Haughey then sparked utter bedlam.
Player Ratings
Illan Meslier was handed a 3/10 after a surprise start. He hesitated when Loupalo-Bi was clean through as the striker slotted through his legs, and did not threaten a shootout save. Jurrien Timber earned 4/10 as one of the brighter sparks in attack in the first half, but was slack defensively and left Salmon exposed at times.
Cristhian Mosquera, making his first appearance since August, received 4/10 for a rash decision-making display that improved after the break. Marli Salmon was given 3/10 after being taught a lesson when getting too tight to Loupalo-Bi, who rolled him so easily to put Fleetwood in front. Piero Hincapie looked incredibly rusty in a 4/10 showing, with many misplaced passes and poor touches.
Martin Zubimendi wore a mask to protect his broken nose but was far too safe in possession, earning 3/10. Myles Lewis-Skelly managed 4/10, losing all of his aerial duels and two of his four ground duels. Max Dowman was the chief attacking threat in the first half but lost his head and had a kick out after a wild challenge, receiving 2/10 as Arteta was fuming.
Standout Performances
Kai Havertz was rated 1/10 for an abysmal display, wasting Arsenal's best first-half chance with an awful header and producing a poor finish when played in by Odegaard. His penalty was not enough to make up for his horror show. Ceadach O'Neill delivered on his senior debut with 6/10, a constant menace for the Fleetwood defence who provided the assist for Gyokeres.
Viktor Gyokeres was finally off the mark for Arsenal this season via a scruffy finish but earned just 3/10, as he was physically dominated by the League Two defenders. Among the substitutes, Martin Odegaard made an immediate difference after coming on, earning 6/10, while Ben White had a big chance to win it late on but was denied by a sensational save. Bruno Guimaraes' stuttering penalty was terrible and sent Arsenal on their way to crashing out.
