Fleetwood boss reveals the truth behind penalty shootout shock vs Arsenal
Arsenal's League Cup exit at the hands of Fleetwood Town has taken an even more startling twist, with the League One side's manager revealing his players had not even rehearsed the spot kicks that sent the Gunners crashing out.
Fleetwood stunned Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, a result compounded by a red card for teenage forward Max Dowman during the match. The game went to penalties, where Fleetwood held their nerve to complete one of the biggest upsets of this season's competition.
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Speaking after the win, Fleetwood boss Matt Lawlor confirmed that preparation for the shootout had been minimal at best, with his side relying on instinct rather than drilled routines to see off Arsenal from twelve yards.
No rehearsal needed
Lawlor's admission, given in a post match interview with Sky Sports, will only add to the embarrassment for Arsenal, who were beaten by a side that did not even bother practising the kicks that ultimately ended their involvement in the competition.
The result means Arsenal's Carabao Cup campaign is over for another season, with the manner of the exit, a shootout defeat to a League One club who did not prepare specifically for it, likely to sting more than most.
Dowman red card adds to the fallout
The night was further soured by Dowman's dismissal, with former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson among those to react to the incident involving the teenager, who has been one of the breakout stories of Arsenal's academy production line this season.
Mikel Arteta gave his reaction to the defeat and the red card in the aftermath, though the headline takeaway from Fleetwood's camp remains Lawlor's blunt admission about the lack of penalty preparation.
Cup upsets of this nature are part of the fabric of English football's domestic competitions, and Fleetwood's achievement will be remembered as one of the standout shocks of this season's League Cup. For Arsenal, attention will now turn fully to the Premier League, where Arteta's side will look to put the disappointment behind them quickly.
