Arsenal made double transfer mistake in the summer and Fleetwood embarrassment proved it

Arsenal's Carabao Cup exit to League Two Fleetwood Town has reignited debate over summer sales of Trossard (£16.7m to Besiktas) and Martinelli (£55.2m to Al Hilal), with pundit O'Hara suggesting the departures left the squad short of creative options.

Arsenal suffered a shock Carabao Cup penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night at Highbury Stadium, drawing 1-1 after extra time. It marked the first loss by the reigning Premier League champions to a fourth-tier side in the competition in 52 years.

Ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara has blamed the result on Arsenal's summer transfer strategy, specifically the sales of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. Trossard departed for Besiktas in July for £16.7m despite providing 11 assists last season—joint-most for any Gunners player across all competitions. Martinelli joined Al Hilal for £55.2m after scoring 11 goals, second only to Viktor Gyokeres at the club.

Arteta's squad depth at wide positions has been severely tested. Christos Tzolis was signed to replace Trossard, but both he and Bukayo Saka are currently injured. Against Fleetwood, Arsenal fielded 16-year-old Max Dowman and 18-year-old Ceadach O'Neill in wide roles, with Noni Madueke absent from the matchday squad. Dowman was sent off late in the match and will miss upcoming Premier League fixtures against Liverpool, Hull City and Newcastle United, leaving Madueke as the only recognised wide option available until Manchester City's visit on November 29.