Nigel Winterburn has urged Arsenal to use their Carabao Cup exit against Fleetwood Town as motivation for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Liverpool at Anfield. Mikel Arteta's side suffered a shock defeat on Tuesday after 16-year-old Max Dowman received a red card.
Winterburn, 62, recalled experiencing a similar upset when reigning champions Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup by Wrexham in 1992. He noted that top teams must convert public embarrassment into immediate drive. Speaking to SunSport, Winterburn said, "History tells you it'll happen again, but it's always a shock. You're listening to the celebrations in their dressing room, which would've been almost next door. The players will be hurting but you've got to use that disappointment and all the Mickey-taking going on. You use it to make sure you're ready to go again in the next game, and that's Liverpool away."
Dowman was dismissed after reacting to a challenge from Harrison Neal by kneeing the Fleetwood player in the chest, which sparked a mass melee. Arteta gave the teenager feedback as he walked down the tunnel. Winterburn argued that the referee, Michael Salisbury, was too harsh in issuing a red card. He stated, "It's not violent in any way. Nobody is getting injured from that, it's impossible. My gut feeling was a yellow card. I don't see that as a red. I think the reaction from everyone else potentially got him sent off."
Winterburn also discussed the challenges of squad depth and injuries, noting the absence of Bukayo Saka following a draw against Bayern Munich. He praised summer signing Ezri Konsa for stepping in while William Saliba recovers from injury. Reflecting on past encounters at Anfield, including a late defeat last year, Winterburn believes the squad has a score to settle as they prepare for the weekend clash.
