Fleetwood stun Arsenal after dramatic Carabao Cup shootout

Fleetwood Town produced one of the biggest shocks in English football by eliminating Premier League champions Arsenal from the Carabao Cup after a 1-1 draw and a 5-3 victory on penalties. The League Two side survived Arsenal’s late pressure before Conor Haughey struck the decisive spot-kick. According to The Guardian, Fleetwood took the lead through Aaron Loupalo-Bi, who used his strength against Arsenal defender Marli Salmon before finishing beneath goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

Loupalo-Bi is on loan from Fulham and has been developing in the fourth tier this season. Arsenal improved after the interval, with Martin Ødegaard introduced to provide greater control and attacking rhythm. Viktor Gyökeres eventually equalised, bundling the ball home, but Arsenal could not find a winner despite dominating possession and creating late opportunities.

The Guardian reported that Jay Lynch made two important saves from Ben White and Gyökeres after the 90th minute. The goalkeeper then became central to the shootout, saving from Brazil international Bruno Guimarães before Haughey’s effort flew into the top corner. The match was also shaped by disciplinary controversy.

Arsenal teenager Max Dowman was sent off after reacting to Fleetwood midfielder Harrison Neal. The Guardian described the dismissal as potentially harsh but said Dowman’s reaction was needlessly petulant. Manager Mikel Arteta spoke to him as he left the field.

Arsenal had fielded a team containing young players, with Arteta seeking to give them an opportunity to impress. The Guardian said the visitors struggled to create meaningful chances in the first half, while Fleetwood defended in an organised and disciplined manner. The game began with a six-minute interruption after a drone was flown above the stadium, according to The Guardian.

Police searched outside the ground while referee Michael Salisbury took the players to the sidelines. The report also described pyrotechnics creating a red haze across the pitch. Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor was described as almost overcome with emotion after the shootout.

The Guardian noted that Lawlor was not working as a football manager a year earlier and had begun coaching with the Manchester United Foundation. Lynch, meanwhile, spent much of his early career in non-league football. The victory was expected to earn Fleetwood around £400,000, but the significance went well beyond the financial reward.

The club became the fourth-tier team to defeat the reigning Premier League champions, while Arsenal’s attempt to test its younger players ended in an unexpected early exit.