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An incident involving ex-Blues midfielder Harrison Neal, left, saw Arsenal's Max Dowman, main image, sent off (Image: PA)
An incident involving ex-Blues midfielder Harrison Neal, left, saw Arsenal's Max Dowman, main image, sent off (Image: PA)
Former Carlisle United midfielder Harrison Neal was at the heart of the drama and controversy as Fleetwood Town shocked Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.
Neal was at the centre of the incident that saw the Gunners' teenage star Max Dowman sent off.
The ex-Blues man also claimed an assist for Fleetwood's goal - and then converted a penalty in the Cod Army's famous shoot-out win.
Neal, 25, was in the thick of things at the Highbury Stadium as Matt Lawlor's side pulled off a famous upset.
Neal, third from right, helped set up Fleetwood's goal - and later converted a penalty in their famous shoot-out win over the Premier League champions (Image: PA)
First, he made his mark in the 21st minute with the pass that saw Aaron Loupalo-Bi put the League Two club in front.
After Viktor Gyokeres levelled for Mikel Arteta's Premier League champions early in the second half, Neal's heavy challenge on 16-year-old Dowman in the 85th minute saw the young Gunners player kick out in retaliation, causing a melee of players - and a straight red card for Dowman.
RED CARD for Max Dowman! 🟥 https://t.co/wq4EvRIScm
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 27, 2026
The youngster headed off the field in front of a clearly unimpressed Arteta.
And then, as it went to penalties, Neal rifled home Fleetwood's second spot-kick - and then watched the underdogs pull off a stunning win as home keeper Jay Lynch kept out Bruno Guimaraes' effort, allowing Conor Haughey to seal a 5-3 win.
Neal has been with Fleetwood since January 2025, having joined the club following a year-long spell with Carlisle.
He made 47 appearances for the Blues.