Fleetwood boss Lawlor says his side will have 'respect' but no 'fear' of Arsenal
Fleetwood Town manager Matt Lawlor says his players will approach Tuesday's Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Arsenal with respect but without fear, as the League Two side prepare to host the Premier League champions at Highbury.
The Gunners travel to Lancashire for a match that has sold out Fleetwood's ground for the first time in over a decade. Lawlor, speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, described the occasion as a landmark moment for the club.
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“It is an amazing night for the club and an amazing night for the fans, the town and the area. We have sold out for the first time in 11 or 12 years which is unbelievable and it is an amazing thing to be a part of,” he said. “We are glad that it is here and we are glad that we are welcoming the best team in the country and the champions of last year, to Highbury. The champions are coming to town on our patch and it's on telly so if you can't get up for this game you can't get up for any game. The players need to be excited for it but while respect is through the roof, the fear can't be.”
Fleetwood's cup run
Fleetwood currently sit 18th in League Two but have enjoyed a strong run in this season's competition, beating Chesterfield, Shrewsbury and Sheffield United to reach the last 16. Lawlor believes the draw against Arsenal represents the standout fixture of the round.
“The power of the Champions League and the power of European football and Premier League is making it very difficult at the lower ends to get glamour ties like this,” he said. “For us to have ours and the champions it is probably the biggest tie in the cup this round. The performance against Sheffield United was excellent. We need to replicate that times a million tomorrow.”
Praise for Arteta
Lawlor also offered praise for the work Mikel Arteta has done at Arsenal, noting the manager arrived at the club without prior managerial experience before shaping the team into his own.
“He has created his own version of football and I could not have any more respect,” Lawlor said. “He does every detail to a very high standard. He is a winner and he has proved that time and time again.”
Arsenal's trip to Highbury will be their first test of the Carabao Cup's fourth round, with Arteta expected to make changes given the gulf in resources between the two sides. For Fleetwood, who are enjoying their best cup run in years, Tuesday night offers a rare chance to test themselves against English football's reigning champions in front of a sold out crowd.
