London, October 28: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on his team to accept their surprising defeat to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup. The Gunners were knocked out after losing 5-3 on penalties in the fourth round, following a 1-1 draw in regular time.

Fleetwood, a League Two side, took the lead in the 21st minute through Aaron Loupalo-Bi, catching Arsenal off guard. Although Viktor Gyokeres equalized for Arsenal in the second half, the Premier League giants failed to convert numerous chances to secure a win before the penalty shootout.

Arteta acknowledged his team's missed opportunities, stating, "There’s nothing to criticise the players for in terms of their attitude, their application, their determination… but obviously we conceded that really poor goal to start with and gave them some belief." He emphasized the high stakes in cup competitions, where missed chances prove costly. "If you don’t capitalise at this level, it’s the competition you are in and you are out; there are no margins for error," he added.

Despite efforts from players like Kai Havertz and Myles Lewis-Skelly, Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch made crucial saves, denying Arsenal a victory. This historic win propels Fleetwood into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

Arteta urged his team to move past the disappointment quickly and focus on their upcoming crucial Premier League fixture against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. He also thanked the loyal travelling supporters, promising to make them proud in the next match.

Disclaimer: This story is sourced from a syndicated agency feed and has been refined using artificial intelligence to improve readability. Please note that this article was published automatically and has not undergone a human editorial review.