Fleetwood knock Arsenal out of Carabao Cup as Dowman appeal looms

Fleetwood entered the Carabao Cup's last 16 as the lowest-ranked side still in the competition, hosting Arsenal for a place in the quarter-finals, according to the BBC.

The gap was substantial. Fleetwood were 18th in League Two, English football's fourth tier, The42 reported. Arsenal were the reigning Premier League champions and had reached the previous season's League Cup final, according to L'Équipe.

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

The match also brought a late disciplinary flashpoint. Max Dowman, Arsenal's 16-year-old midfielder, received a straight red card in the 85th minute after reacting to a heavy challenge, according to the BBC. Guardian Sport described his dismissal as being for retaliation before the shootout.

After the victory, Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor called the night "unbelievably special" and hailed the result as one for all football, Guardian Sport reported.

By October 28, the focus also included Arsenal's response. Mikel Arteta described the defeat as "a very sad day", according to Arab News. Sky Sports reported that he had explained what he said to Dowman as the teenager went down the tunnel after his dismissal.

Fleetwood are through to the quarter-finals; Arsenal are out. The achievement is a first for Fleetwood, while Arsenal's run has ended in the fourth round after reaching last season's final, according to the BBC and Telegraaf.

The outstanding issue is Dowman's red card. On October 28, the BBC reported that Arsenal would appeal against the sending-off. The supplied coverage does not report a decision on that appeal.

The next concrete development is Arsenal's appeal against Dowman's dismissal. Whether the red card stands remains unresolved in the reporting from the BBC; the appeal concerns his dismissal, not Arsenal's elimination.