2 positives and 3 negatives from Arsenal’s shock loss to Fleetwood

Writer Alfie Cairns Culshaw analyzed Arsenal's Carabao Cup fourth-round exit after League Two Fleetwood Town defeated them on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Aaron Loupalo-Bi scored the opening goal for Fleetwood before Viktor Gyokeres equalized for Arsenal from a Ceadach O'Neill cross. Arsenal played with ten men late in the match after Max Dowman received a straight red card, with Bruno Guimaraes subsequently missing the decisive spot kick in the shootout.

Culshaw highlighted O'Neill's positive debut and the away supporters as bright spots, but criticized fringe players for failing to step up. The writer noted that Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, and Martin Zubimendi struggled during the match, while also citing poor optics and a severe lack of creativity against a stubborn low block.