Arsenal knocked out of Carabao Cup by Fleetwood Town

Summarised from 4 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 28 Oct, 00:15 · Archive

Arsenal were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by League Two side Fleetwood Town on penalties after Max Dowman was sent off.

Arsenal lost to League Two side Fleetwood Town on penalties in the Carabao Cup, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring Arsenal's equaliser after Fleetwood had taken the lead. The match went to a shootout, which Arsenal lost when Bruno Guimaraes's penalty was saved.

With five minutes remaining, 16-year-old forward Max Dowman was sent off for violent conduct. He kicked out at Fleetwood midfielder Harrison Neal in response to a heavy challenge from behind. The incident sparked a confrontation between the two teams, and referee Michael Salisbury showed Dowman a straight red card, leaving Arsenal to play the final minutes with ten men.

As Dowman walked towards the tunnel, manager Mikel Arteta appeared to direct angry words at him with his arms crossed. When asked afterwards what he had told the teenager, Arteta told reporters it was 'something that we discussed before the game' and refused to elaborate further. He also said he had not yet reviewed the incident on camera.

Paul Merson criticised Arteta's reaction, suggesting the manager should have put an arm around Dowman instead. Merson said the red card could have been a yellow and noted that Dowman, aged 16, had not been having a good night. He contrasted Arteta's treatment with how he would likely have handled an experienced player in the same situation.

Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff said the red card was surprising, attributing it to the teenager's naivety rather than serious misconduct. The incident was Dowman's second red card in the same month. The suspension will extend into the Premier League.

How it is being reported

• Arsenal: How many games Max Dowman will miss after Carabao Cup red cardArsenal youngster will have to learn a valuable lessonEvening Standard · 28 Oct, 00:01
• Arsenal: Mikel Arteta called out for reaction to Max Dowman red cardArteta has been reluctant to address the situationEvening Standard · 27 Oct, 23:37
• Mikel Arteta explains angry reaction to Max Dowman after Arsenal red cardIt is a second red card in the same month for the youngsterEvening Standard · 27 Oct, 23:21
• Arteta explains reaction to Dowman red card amid criticismMikel Arteta has explained his reaction to Max Dowman as the 16-year-old went down the tunnel after being sent off in Arsenal's shock Carabao Cup exit to Fleetwood Town.Sky Sports · 27 Oct, 23:11
• Mikel Arteta remains tight-lipped on Max Dowman reaction after 16-year-old’s red cardArteta appeared to have harsh words for Dowman as the teeanger was sent off for violent conduct in the shock defeat at Fleetwood TownIndependent Sport · 27 Oct, 23:05
• Mikel Arteta facing fierce criticism as Arsenal boss hints at what he told Max DowmanMax Dowman was sent off as Arsenal were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by FleetwoodMirror Sport · 27 Oct, 22:54
• Merson critical of Arteta's reaction to Dowman after redPaul Merson was critical of Mikel Arteta's reaction to Max Dowman being sent off in Arsenal's loss to Fleetwood Town in the EFL Cup.Sky Sports · 27 Oct, 22:12

In this story: Arsenal · Fleetwood Town · Max Dowman · Mikel Arteta · Paul Merson · Harrison Neal · Highbury Stadium · League Two

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log