Dowman red card deepens Arsenal's problems after Fleetwood cup shock

Max Dowman's dismissal added to Arsenal's troubles as Fleetwood knocked them out of the Carabao Cup on penalties, leaving Mikel Arteta short of wide options for Liverpool.

Arsenal’s Carabao Cup exit at Fleetwood has left Mikel Arteta confronting both a disciplinary setback for Max Dowman and dwindling options on the wings. The 16-year-old was dismissed as the Premier League champions drew 1-1 before losing on penalties to opponents sitting 84 places beneath them in the football pyramid. Arsenal registered 26 shots and enjoyed 78% possession, but could not turn that dominance into a place in the quarter-finals.

Dowman had earned another start after scoring twice against Ipswich in the previous round. His second start of the season instead brought his first senior dismissal, following a reaction to a heavy Harrison Neal challenge. The teenager moved his leg towards Neal, leaving referee Michael Salisbury to judge the incident. It was also Dowman’s second red card this month, having been sent off for England Under-19s during the international break.

Arteta visibly rebuked the winger as he headed towards the tunnel and afterwards said controlling emotions had been part of Arsenal’s pre-match preparation. Paul Merson questioned that public response, arguing the manager should have offered reassurance to a young player enduring a frustrating evening. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Arsenal midfielder said: “You have to remember he is 16 years of age, he's a kid.” Leon Osman, meanwhile, felt Dowman could not dispute the decision and needed to learn quickly.

Arsenal’s selection mixed emerging talent with established internationals. Ceadach O’Neill, 18, made his debut, Marli Salmon, 17, started at centre-back and Illan Meslier made his first start for the club. Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres provided experience, while Martin Odegaard and Bruno Guimaraes appeared from the bench. None of that prevented an upset which extends Arsenal’s League Cup drought to 33 years.

Arteta defended his players’ commitment and application while congratulating Fleetwood, but the consequences stretch beyond elimination. Dowman is now suspended ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool, with Bukayo Saka out for around six weeks, Christos Tzolis still working towards a return and Noni Madueke also injured. What had looked like an opening for the teenager to establish himself has instead further restricted Arsenal’s choices in wide areas.

Original reporting:BBC Sport