Arsenal crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, beaten 5-3 on penalties by League Two side Fleetwood Town after a 1-1 draw at Highbury.

It was a night to forget for the Premier League champions, and it ended in disappointment for one of their brightest young talents too.

Max Dowman sent off late on at Fleetwood

Max Dowman had been Arsenal’s most dangerous player for much of the night. Starting on the right, the 16-year-old delivered a string of dangerous balls into the box, including a cross that Kai Havertz headed wide in the first half and a free-kick that found Jurrien Timber’s head. After the break, he tested Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch and set up another chance for Havertz.

But with five minutes left, his night came to an abrupt end. After being tackled hard by a Fleetwood player, Dowman appeared to kick out, and the referee showed him a straight red card. It looked a harsh decision, but it left Arsenal down to 10 men for the closing stages.

As Dowman made his way off the pitch and down the tunnel, Mikel Arteta was seen having a stern word with him. It isn’t clear what was said, but the Arsenal boss didn’t look happy.

It’s a frustrating way for the night to end for a player who had made the most of his chance. Before the game, Arteta had promised Dowman would get minutes with Bukayo Saka injured, and told his young players to “give me a reason, give me a headache, give me a problem and show me you have to play more.” For 85 minutes, Dowman did just that.

Now he could face a suspension. A straight red card for violent conduct normally brings a three-match domestic ban, which would rule him out of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, just as his opportunity in the first team was opening up. Whether Arsenal appeal the decision remains to be seen.