Arsenal were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Fleetwood Town, who sit 18th in League Two, in a result that leaves Mikel Arteta with a significant selection dilemma ahead of this weekend's Premier League meeting with Liverpool at Anfield.
Arteta had warned his players before the match about the dangers of expecting Fleetwood to roll over. He said: "We know the risk, and in football, things can get very equal the moment you are able to match certain things. That's why our basics and habits have to be through the roof to be able to win the game."
Arsenal made nine changes for the tie, yet the starting lineup still included a World Cup winner, last season's top scorer, and the first-choice striker and right-back. Despite that, the Gunners fell to a defeat described as one of the worst nights in the club's recent history. Earlier in the day, Arsenal's Under-21 side had beaten a team higher up the English football pyramid than Fleetwood.
Red card and striker struggles
The performance was marked by misplaced passes, lost duels, and poor finishing. Max Dowman was shown a straight red card after reacting angrily to a dangerous tackle, and Arteta directed furious words at the teenager as he left the pitch, suggesting Dowman may wait some time for his next first-team minutes.
Arteta started both Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres, a surprise given the expectation that one would be kept fresh for Liverpool. The decision appeared aimed at giving both strikers a chance to rediscover their goalscoring form, as Gyokeres has not scored this season and Havertz's performances have dropped since returning from a hamstring injury.
Starting both meant Havertz played in midfield, a position where he delivered what may have been his worst performance for the club. He missed three big chances and was nowhere near the required level. Gyokeres scored, but the goal was fortuitous, as he missed the ball with his right foot, scuffed it with his left, and watched it dribble into the net. He otherwise struggled against League Two defenders, with Finley Potter repeatedly moving him off the ball.
Reserve players fail to impress
Martin Zubimendi, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera all started after barely featuring in recent weeks but did nothing to suggest more opportunities should come their way. Ceadach O'Neill was bright on his senior debut, and Martin Odegaard made an impact off the bench, offering the right kind of attitude and intent.
Arteta brought on five players likely to start at Anfield, with Odegaard required to attempt a rescue act at half-time. That still was not enough for Arsenal to overcome Fleetwood. The additional minutes put into legs yielded nothing but humiliation, and Arteta now faces the worst possible kind of selection headache, with little reason to start any of those responsible for the showing at Anfield.
