The Max Dowman red card was arguably the biggest talking point of Arsenal’s shock EFL Cup fourth round defeat to Fleetwood on October 27.
Dowman was given his marching orders after lashing out at Harrison Neal having been on the receiving end of a full-bodied tackle from the Fishermen midfielder. The incident caused a melee among both sets of players but it was Mikel Arteta’s reaction to the youngster’s dismissal that has raised eyebrows.
Max Dowman Red Card: Mikel Arteta Explains What He Said
Although Fleetwood beat Arsenal on penalties to advance to the EFL Cup quarter-final, it was Mikel Arteta’s furious reaction to the Max Dowman red card that generated the most headlines. The Spaniard was caught on camera giving Dowman a verbal scathing as the 16-year-old trudged down the tunnel.
When quizzed on what was said, Arteta stated: “It was something that we discussed before the game.”
“When we prepared the context of the match, we were very clear on the things to expect,” Arteta added. “The things that emotionally we have to dominate and it was very clear.”
Biggest EFL Cup Shocks: Arsenal Lost To Fleetwood
Having defied the EFL Cup odds in stunning fashion, Fleetwood earned their place in League Cup folklore. The League Two strugglers took a first-half lead thanks to Aaron Loupalo-Bi’s strike. After the interval, Viktor Gyokeres equalised for Arsenal but that was as good as it got for the Premier League champions.
The 1-1 draw meant the game went to penalties whereby Bruno Guimaraes’ spot kick was saved, giving the Fishermen a famous 5-3 win. Interestingly, it’s not the first time the Gunners have lost to a fourth tier side in the competition.
In the 2012-13 season, Bradford City beat Arsene Wenger’s men 2-1 in the quarter-final. Other upsets include Man United’s defeats to Grimsby, MK Dons, Southend and York as well as Tottenham’s defeat to Colchester in 2019.
If you intend to bet on the EFL Cup then please take the time to read through BetVictor’s safe and responsible gambling page which will provide good advice on how to stay in control when betting on football.
Any betting decisions should be made responsibly and there are no guarantees when it comes to match outcomes. All odds correct as of 10am on October 28, 2026 and are subject to change.
18+ | gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
