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Premier League leaders Arsenal suffered a humiliating League Cup exit, losing 5-3 on penalties to fourth-tier Fleetwood.
Fleetwood’s players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout. (AP Photo)
Arsenal endured a night of misery on Tuesday, crashing out of the League Cup after fourth-tier Fleetwood pulled off a stunning fourth-round upset. Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a 1-1 draw before suffering a 5-3 defeat on penalties, in a result that will go down as one of the most embarrassing in the club’s history.
Aaron Loupalo-Bi fired Fleetwood ahead in the first half before Viktor Gyokeres restored parity after the break. Arsenal’s Bruno Guimaraes then had his penalty saved by Jay Lynch in the shoot-out, allowing Conor Haughey to score the decisive spot-kick and spark wild celebrations.
The defeat was compounded by the dismissal of 16-year-old Max Dowman for violent conduct late in the game. Arteta’s decision to make nine changes, with Sunday’s Premier League trip to Liverpool in mind, ultimately backfired.
Arsenal had entered the contest in confident mood after beating Everton 2-0 on Saturday to move level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City. They had also won 11 of their previous 13 games, making their early cup exit all the more shocking.
The result revives memories of Arsenal’s previous cup disappointments. Arsene Wenger’s team lost to fourth-tier Bradford on penalties in the League Cup in 2012. Arteta’s side were beaten by second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup last season and lost to Nottingham Forest, then in the Championship, in 2022. Arsenal also suffered League Cup final heartbreak against third-tier Swindon in 1969 and exited the FA Cup against fourth-tier Wrexham in 1992.
Yet Fleetwood’s triumph stands apart. Their 5,327-capacity ground shares its name, Highbury, with Arsenal’s former home, which the Gunners left for the Emirates Stadium in 2006. The modest venue, where goals are celebrated with the children’s cartoon song Captain Pugwash over the tannoy, became the setting for a landmark defeat in the Arteta era.
Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor was overcome with emotion as supporters poured onto the pitch to celebrate.
Only Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gyokeres retained their places from the Everton match. Teenagers Dowman and Marli Salmon started, while 18-year-old winger Ceadach O’Neill made his debut. Fleetwood, sitting 18th in League Two after losing their previous two league games against Exeter and Cheltenham, showed little fear of their illustrious opponents.
Following an eight-minute delay caused by an unauthorised drone, Arsenal were caught out on a windy night by the Irish Sea. Salmon’s inexperience proved costly in the 21st minute when Loupalo-Bi powered past the 17-year-old and finished low beyond debutant goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Martin Odegaard came on at half-time, and Gyokeres equalised five minutes later, poking home O’Neill’s delivery after wrestling with his marker.
Dowman was sent off in the 85th minute for kicking out at Harrison Neal after a strong challenge. With both teams converting their first three penalties, Lynch’s save from Guimaraes and Haughey’s composure completed Fleetwood’s remarkable victory.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Fleetwood held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw after Aaron Loupalo-Bi’s first-half opener was canceled out by Viktor Gyokeres. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Jay Lynch saved Bruno Guimaraes’s spot-kick, allowing Conor Haughey to convert the decisive penalty for a 5-3 victory.
Ask News18About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
October 28, 2026, 08:59 IST
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