Arsenal struggled to make their possession count during the opening half of their Carabao Cup meeting with Fleetwood Town, going into the interval trailing 1-0. According to a report published by Flashscore on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Aaron Loupalo-Bi gave the League Two side the lead in the 21st minute, leaving the Gunners with work to do after an underwhelming first-half performance.

Despite controlling approximately 75 per cent of possession, Arsenal found it difficult to create clear-cut scoring opportunities or turn their dominance into a goal. Several players also failed to make the most of promising situations, allowing Fleetwood to protect their advantage.

1. Max Dowman

Max Dowman struggled to produce the decisive attacking contribution Arsenal needed during the first half. The young forward had opportunities to create danger from set pieces, but his deliveries and attempts did not lead to an equaliser.

In the 10th minute, Dowman sent a free kick towards Piero Hincapie, who connected with a close-range header. However, the defender was unable to direct his effort beneath the crossbar, allowing Fleetwood to escape without conceding.

Dowman was involved in another set-piece situation in the 23rd minute, but Fleetwood’s defence dealt with the delivery before Arsenal could turn it into a meaningful opportunity.

His most disappointing moment came in the 20th minute. After collecting a loose ball inside the penalty area, Dowman had a chance to threaten the goal but sent his effort well wide of the left post. The missed opportunity proved costly as Arsenal continued searching for a way back into the contest.

2. Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz also struggled to convert his opportunities as Arsenal attempted to respond to Fleetwood’s opening goal. The German forward had two notable chances late in the first half but was unable to find the net.

In the 39th minute, Havertz struck a powerful effort towards goal, only for a Fleetwood defender to intervene with an important block. The defensive challenge prevented Arsenal from testing the goalkeeper and preserved the home side’s lead.

Havertz was presented with another opportunity just a minute later when he met a well-delivered cross inside the penalty area. However, his header sailed over the crossbar, wasting another promising opening.

With Arsenal enjoying most of the possession, the forward’s inability to finish these chances contributed to the visitors’ frustration as they went into half-time behind.

3. Jurrien Timber

Jurrien Timber found it difficult to provide the attacking influence Arsenal required from the right side of the defence. Although he attempted to support the team’s forward movements, his contributions failed to produce a significant threat.

In the 12th minute, Timber delivered a cross into the opposition’s penalty area, but Fleetwood’s defenders cleared the ball without difficulty. His next notable attempt came in the 16th minute, when a pass directed towards the box was intercepted before an Arsenal attacker could benefit.

Timber also disrupted his team’s progress by being caught offside in the 42nd minute. The incident brought another potential attacking move to an end and reflected Arsenal’s broader difficulties in finding openings against a well-organised defence.

4. Ceadach O'Neill

Ceadach O'Neill was unable to make his set-piece opportunities count during the opening 45 minutes. His corner in the 31st minute failed to reach an Arsenal teammate, as a Fleetwood defender cleared the danger before the visitors could threaten.

Although O'Neill helped Arsenal maintain pressure in the attacking areas, the accuracy of his delivery was not sufficient to trouble Fleetwood consistently. With the hosts defending their narrow advantage, Arsenal needed greater precision from dead-ball situations to create better scoring chances.

Overall, the Gunners’ first-half display was marked by possession without enough attacking efficiency. Dowman, Havertz, Timber and O'Neill all had moments when they could have helped Arsenal respond, but Fleetwood’s defensive work and the visitors’ lack of precision allowed the League Two side to retain their 1-0 lead at the interval.