Fleetwood Town vs. Arsenal Preview: Team News, Kick-Off Time & How To Watch

Arsenal travel to Highbury Stadium on Tuesday night as they look to book their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and continue their pursuit for a first League Cup triumph since 1993. The Gunners head into the fixture in some fine form after securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Arsenal have enjoyed a strong October so far and will be keen to extend their recent unbeaten run and overcome the League Two side.

Arsenal’s previous Carabao Cup encounter saw them overcome Ipswich Town 4-2 at Portman Road. Max Dowman was the standout performer on the night, scoring twice as Arsenal raced into a four-goal lead before the hosts pulled two goals back late on. The teenager featured briefly at the weekend and is expected to be amongst the starting XI in tonight’s game.

Standing in Arsenal’s way are a Fleetwood Town side who have already enjoyed an impressive cup campaign. The League Two outfit have defeated Chesterfield, Shrewsbury Town and Championship side Sheffield United to reach the fourth round for the first time in their history. They managed to keep a clean sheet in each of those games.

Matt Lawlor’s side will certainly be up for such a huge occasion. It will be the first competitive meeting between the sides in their history. Fleetwood have struggled for form in their league. The Cods have only managed one win in their last eight, seeing them sit just two points above the relegation zone.

Arsenal will be overwhelming favourites to progress to the next round, but it is always crucial to not act too arrogant in these fixtures. Cup upsets are extremely common and the Gunners will need to stay focused to ensure they book their spot in the last eight of the competition as they look to go that step further after last season’s 2-0 defeat in the final to Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta is expected to make several changes to his starting eleven, with Arsenal facing a demanding schedule and a Premier League trip to Anfield coming up on Sunday.

The Gunners are expected to still be without Bukayo Saka as he begins his period on the sidelines with a quad injury and William Saliba who continues to recover from his back injury he sustained in the summer. Christos Tzolis will also not be available with his hamstring injury still prominent. Riccardo Calafiori is a major doubt after playing through a knock against Everton.

Piero Hincapie is expected to feature along with teenagers Marli Salmon and Max Dowman.

Fleetwood will be hoping to have as many players available as possible as they encounter their biggest game in recent history.

Lewis McCann will be out serving a suspension after picking up yellow cards in two cup games already this season. Kane Thompson-Sommers continues to suffer from a long-term injury and will not be available and Andy Cannon is also expected not to be involved with his fitness not being at the required standard at the moment.

Mikel Arteta has stressed that this game cannot be taken lightly and that his side still need to go out there and perform at a high level to ensure a victory. He said, "Show them the Arsenal shirts and what we represent, and that's it. And we need to go there and win the game."

Matt Lawlor knows that the game will be difficult and wants the Fleetwood fans to relish in the occasion that they are playing the best side in the country at the moment. He admitted, "The champions are coming to town on our patch and it's on telly so if you can't get up for this game you can't get up for any game."

Michael Salisbury has been appointed to referee Arsenal’s trip to Highbury Stadium, in what will be just the third Gunners game he has taken charge of. He previously officiated Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth in 2023 and their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in 2025.

There will be no VAR in use on Tuesday night, with the technology only introduced in the Carabao Cup once every stadium hosting a tie in that round is able to support it.

Referee: Michael Salisbury

Assistants: Matthew Wilkes and Alex James

Fourth official: Lewis Smith

Fleetwood Town host Arsenal at Highbury Stadium at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday 27 October.

Paris: 21:00 (Tuesday)

Lagos: 20:00 (Tuesday)

New York: 16:00 (Tuesday)

Sydney: 07:00 (Wednesday)

The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.