Fleetwood knock Premier League champions Arsenal out of the League Cup on penalties

Fleetwood Town, a club from a small seaside town in Lancashire playing in League Two, England's fourth tier, beat Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup, the English football knockout competition for league clubs. The result sends Fleetwood into the quarter-finals for the first time. The two sides are separated by 83 places in the league pyramid.

Aaron Loupalo-Bi put Fleetwood ahead after 21 minutes, and Viktor Gyokeres levelled after the break. Arsenal were wasteful, and Max Dowman was sent off for kicking out following a robust challenge from Harrison Neal. Neither side found a winner in normal play.

Conor Haughey scored the decisive spot kick in the shootout. Goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved from Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Bruno Guimaraes, and was left hoarse afterwards. He compared the win with Grimsby's victory over Manchester United in the competition last season.

Reaction from the club

Manager Matt Lawlor told Sky Sports it was the biggest night in the club's history in terms of the opposition. Left-back Jake Batty said the team's league form has not been what they wanted, but that cup ties bring extra fire. He hopes for a home draw in the next round.

Fleetwood sit 18th in League Two and have won once in their last eight league games. They lost 4-2 at Cheltenham and 2-1 at Exeter in the two matches before the tie. The club has been in the English Football League since 2012, and its relegation from League One was confirmed on 20 April 2024. Fleetwood have won six promotions in 12 years from non-league.

On Saturday Fleetwood face Bristol Rovers in the league. Lawlor said he told the players to enjoy the win, but that another game comes quickly.