Fleetwood knock Arsenal out of Carabao Cup as Dowman appeal fails

Fleetwood entered the Carabao Cup last 16 as the lowest-ranked side remaining, with Premier League champions Arsenal standing between them and the quarter-finals. The BBC described the League Two club's opportunity before the match on October 26.

The gap was substantial even within that fourth tier. Fleetwood were 18th in League Two, according to The42, while Arsenal had reached the previous season's League Cup final, L'Équipe reported.

On October 27, Fleetwood held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw and won the penalty shootout 5-3. The victory took them into the League Cup quarter-finals for the first time, the BBC reported.

The match also brought two disruptions. A drone flying over the stadium caused a stoppage lasting several minutes, according to Telegraaf. Arsenal's 16-year-old Max Dowman was sent off for retaliation before the shootout, the Guardian reported.

Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor called the night "unbelievably special", according to the Guardian. On October 28, Arab News reported that Mikel Arteta had described Arsenal's defeat as "a very sad day".

Attention then turned to the consequences. On October 28, ESPN FC reported that Arsenal intended to appeal against Dowman's dismissal. That day's quarter-final draw gave Fleetwood a home tie against Everton or Newcastle United, according to the BBC.

On October 29, Arsenal's appeal was rejected. An independent commission upheld the red card and three-match suspension, the Guardian reported. Express & Star identified the incident as a kick out at Harrison Neal.

Fleetwood remain in the competition with a first quarter-final secured. Arsenal are out, and Dowman's three-match ban stands, as confirmed by BBC Sport.

Arsenal have since responded on the pitch. On November 1, they beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, their first victory there in 14 years, according to ESPN FC. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta credited the Fleetwood defeat with spurring that response, BBC Sport reported.

Fleetwood's next cup assignment is at Highbury against Everton or Newcastle United. The draw reported by the BBC leaves the opponent unresolved in the supplied coverage, but guarantees another home opportunity for the lowest-ranked club left in the competition.