Fleetwood Town are looking to pull off the biggest result in their history when they take on Premier League giants Arsenal on Tuesday night.
The Gunners travel to the aptly-named Highbury for a Carabao Cup fourth round clash that pits the champions of England up against opponents who currently sit 18th in League Two.
Despite the huge chasm between the two teams, Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor insists his players won’t be shirking away from the chance to put their names in headlights.
“It is an amazing night for the club and an amazing night for the fans, the town and the area. We have sold out for the first time in 11 or 12 years which is unbelievable and it is an amazing thing to be a part of,” Lawlor said on the eve of the clash against Mikel Arteta’s side.
“We are glad that it is here and we are glad that we are welcoming the best team in the country and the champions of last year – to Highbury.
“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. The players need to be excited for it but while respect is through the roof, the fear can’t be.”
Fleetwood enter this contest off the back of successive defeats, the most recent a 2-1 reverse down at Exeter at the weekend. But they will be hoping to rediscover their fine form in this competition. Lawlor’s side have beaten Chesterfield, Shrewsbury and Sheffield United so far, scoring six goals and keeping three clean sheets.
Lawlor spoke highly of the job Arteta has done with Arsenal, adding: “He has created his own version of football and I could not have any more respect. He does every detail to a very high standard. He is a winner and he has proved that time and time again.”
The Gunners head north in high spirits after comfortably seeing off Everton in the league, 2-0, at the weekend.
Bukayo Saka will miss out as he continues to rehab from a quad injury which he picked up against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week.
Arteta could shuffle his pack heavily for the visit to Lancashire with the likes of Max Dowman and Kepa Arrizabalaga two players who could benefit from the rotation. Dowman, still just 16, scored twice in the previous round of this competition against Ipswich Town.
His manager gave the teenager ten minutes at the end of the win last time out against Everton. Clearly, judging by his recent comments, he thinks highly of Dowman: “Every time he’s got a moment to play, he is showing that he’s a player who is going to impact the game.”
