According to a report by Flashscore on Tuesday October 27, 2026, Arsenal struggled to impose themselves against Fleetwood in the first half of their Carabao Cup encounter, heading into the break trailing 1-0 after Aaron Loupalo-Bi scored in the 21st minute.

Despite enjoying 75 per cent possession, the Gunners failed to turn their dominance of the ball into clear goalscoring opportunities.

1. Max Dowman

Max Dowman struggled to make his attacking contributions count during the opening 45 minutes. The young Arsenal player sent a free kick towards Piero Hincapie in the 10th minute, but the defender's close-range header sailed over the crossbar. Dowman also took another free kick in the 23rd minute, only for Fleetwood's defence to clear the danger. His most disappointing moment came in the 20th minute when he collected a loose ball inside the penalty area but fired well wide of the left post.

2. Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz had opportunities to help Arsenal find an equaliser but failed to convert them. In the 39th minute, the German forward unleashed a powerful shot towards goal, only for a Fleetwood defender to make a brave block. He had another opportunity one minute later when he connected with an excellent cross inside the box. However, his header flew high over the crossbar, allowing Fleetwood to maintain their advantage.

3. Jurrien Timber

Jurrien Timber struggled to provide the attacking quality Arsenal needed from the right side. His attempted pass into the penalty area in the 16th minute was intercepted by a Fleetwood defender. Four minutes earlier, he had delivered a cross that the opposition defence comfortably cleared. Timber also found himself offside in the 42nd minute, interrupting another potential attacking move.

4. Ceadach O'Neill

Ceadach O'Neill failed to make his set-piece opportunities count during the first half. His corner in the 31st minute did not find an Arsenal teammate, as a Fleetwood defender cleared the danger. Although O'Neill helped Arsenal sustain attacking pressure, his delivery lacked the precision required to trouble the home side's defence.