Ødegaard apologises after Arsenal’s shock exit against Fleetwood

Martin Ødegaard apologised to Arsenal supporters after Fleetwood Town knocked his side out of the Fleetwood Cup. The captain also called for a swift response ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Liverpool.

After a 1-1 draw, Arsenal lost 5-3 on penalties to Fleetwood, a League Two club. Aaron Loupalo-Bi put Fleetwood ahead, and Viktor Gyökeres brought Arsenal level after the interval. Neither side could find another goal, and Fleetwood converted its penalties while Bruno Guimarães missed for Arsenal. Goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved Guimarães’ attempt, before Conor Haughey scored the decisive kick.

The clubs were separated by 84 places in the English league pyramid. Arsenal’s defeat ends its Carabao Cup run and leaves the team with one fewer opportunity to win silverware this season. Max Dowman’s late dismissal made the finish more difficult: the 16-year-old was sent off after reacting to a challenge from Harrison Neal, leaving Arsenal to complete the match with ten players. Dowman’s foot made contact with Neal, though it did not appear to be a full kick. He is suspended for Arsenal’s next three matches, including Sunday’s visit to Liverpool at Anfield; an appeal could affect the length of the suspension.

“It is really frustrating to go out. Obviously, we did not reach a good enough level. We have to do much, much better than we did here,” Ødegaard said. The captain came on at half-time and acknowledged Fleetwood’s achievement, while urging Arsenal to move on: “We cannot feel sorry for ourselves. We have to move on.”

Manager Mikel Arteta had spoken to Dowman before the match about how to respond to physical treatment. Arsenal cannot change the result against Fleetwood; Sunday’s match at Liverpool will be its first chance to show that the defeat has not carried into its Premier League campaign.