Fleetwood goalkeeper reveals specific Max Dowman plan before kick-off

Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch revealed the League Two side deliberately targeted Arsenal players with physical tackles during their Carabao Cup penalty shootout win, hoping for bad weather to suit their style.

Fleetwood pulled off a shock Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal on penalties after a 1-1 draw, advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. Goalkeeper Jay Lynch revealed on talkSPORT that the club's pre-match plan was to get stuck in physically and disrupt Arsenal's play, with players also hoping for poor weather conditions at Highbury Stadium.

The match was marred by controversy when Arsenal teenager Max Dowman was sent off for violent conduct after kicking out at Fleetwood midfielder Harrison Neal, who had made a strong tackle on the 16-year-old. Lynch defended the approach, saying it reflected what League Two football is about. Arsenal have appealed the red card decision, which would see Dowman miss three Premier League matches if upheld. Pundit Danny Murphy criticised the referee's handling, calling it a ridiculous decision, while Brad Friedel suggested a more experienced official might have managed the situation differently through warnings rather than dismissal.