Fleetwood v Arsenal: Saka and Saliba out as Arsenal visit Highbury Stadium
Arsenal play League Two Fleetwood for the first time, in the Carabao Cup last 16 on Tuesday night. Mikel Arteta says the club's pride is at stake.
By TuSport Desk · 27 Oct 2026, 15:50 WAT
Fleetwood Town host Arsenal at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday 27 October in the Carabao Cup last 16, kick-off 20:00 GMT (21:00 WAT). Arsenal say the two clubs have never met in any competition.
Bukayo Saka is out while he has more checks, and William Saliba and Christos Tzolis are also injured. Piero Hincapié and Cristhian Mosquera were both on the bench for Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton.
Arteta said Arsenal's "reputation" and "pride" are on the line against a fourth-tier club, and that their "basics and habits have to be through the roof". Arsenal's last League Cup tie against a fourth-tier side ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Bradford City in 2012-13.
Fleetwood reached the fourth round for the first time in their history by knocking out Chesterfield, Shrewsbury and Championship side Sheffield United, and they have not conceded in the competition this season. Manager Matt Lawlor said his players should be "excited by it, not overawed by it". Andy Cannon is back in training, while Kane Thompson-Sommers and Will Johnson are injured.
There is no VAR at Highbury Stadium for this tie. If the score is level after 90 minutes, it goes straight to penalties. Max Dowman, 16, scored twice for Arsenal in the last round at Ipswich.
Sources: www.arsenal.com · www.bbc.com · www.football.london
