Arsenal crashed out of the Carabao Cup in embarrassing fashion after a penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Fleetwood.
The Gunners did not show up at any point at Highbury Stadium and ultimately got what they deserved, in one of the great cup upsets.
Aaron Loupalo-Bi put Fleetwood in front. Viktor Gyokeres equalised in the second half but Arsenal’s miserable night continued when Max Dowman was then shown a straight red card.
It went to a shootout and Bruno Guimaraes’ saved penalty proved crucial, as Conor Haughey then sparked utter bedlam.
Here is how Matt Verri rated the Arsenal players...
Illan Meslier 3
Handed a surprise start. Hesitated when Loupalo-Bi was clean through as the striker then slotted through his legs. Unable to bail Arsenal out in a way Raya often does and then did not even threaten a shootout save.
Jurrien Timber 4
One of the brighter sparks in attack in the first half. Got into great positions and should have done better when wasting one good headed chance. Slack defensively, though, and left Salmon exposed at times.
Cristhian Mosquera 4
First appearance since August and it showed. Rash in his decision-making and his passing radar was well off. Grew into the match and improved after the break, getting back well on the cover when Fleetwood did occasionally break.
Marli Salmon 3
Taught a lesson when getting too tight to Loupalo-Bi, who rolled him so easily to put Fleetwood in front. Had some decent moments on the ball but Fleetwood fancied their chances of getting at him physically. Off at half-time.
Marli Salmon was at fault for Fleetwood’s goal
Getty
Piero Hincapie 4
Looked incredibly rusty. So many misplaced passes and poor touches - was not on the same wavelength as those around him. Deserved better when one brilliant cross had no Arsenal player move to meet it.
Martin Zubimendi 3
Wore a mask to protect his broken nose. Far too safe in possession when Arsenal needed someone to up the tempo and control the match. Failed opportunity for him to demand more Premier League minutes.
Myles Lewis-Skelly 4
Had a couple of shots blocked when it fell to him in dangerous positions. Weak display by his usual standards - lost all of his aerial duels and two of his four ground duels. Normally one to make those driving runs and get things going but none of that.
Max Dowman 2
Chief attacking threat in the first half, creating good chances for Havertz and Timber. But the 16-year-old lost his head and had a kick out after a wild challenge. Even if that reaction was understandable, it showed his age and Arteta was fuming. Arsenal lost initiative after that.
Abysmal. No creative influence and wasted Arsenal’s best first-half chance with an awful header. Poor finish when played in by Odegaard, too, and kept just stumbling over the ball. Yet another reminder he is not a midfielder. Penalty was not enough to make up for his horror show.
Kai Havertz had a poor night at Highbury Stadium
AFP/Getty
Ceadach O'Neill 6
Delivered on his senior debut. A constant menace for the Fleetwood defence, winning four free-kicks. Brought some much-needed positivity and direct running. Great wing play provided the assist for Gyokeres. Did his job well.
Viktor Gyokeres 3
Finally off the mark for Arsenal this season via a scruffy finish. Still not even close to good enough. More than once he was physically dominated by the League Two defenders and he did not look above that level technically. He was at least confident as ever from the spot.
Substitutes:
Martin Odegaard (Salmon 46’) 6
Made an immediate difference after coming on. Played with intent. Gorgeous scooped past should have been finished by Havertz. Slotted home spot-kick.
Ben White (Timber 46’) 4
Big chance to win it late on but denied by a sensational save. Should probably have scored. Had some shaky moments defensively.
Eberechi Eze (O’Neill 66’) 4
One good cross for that White opportunity but otherwise very disappointing. Far too keen to go to ground looking for fouls.
Ezri Konsa (Lewis-Skelly 82’) 5
No defending required as Arsenal pushed to break the deadlock late on.
Bruno Guimaraes (Zubimendi 82’) 3
Stuttering penalty was terrible and sent Arsenal on their way to crashing out.