Fleetwood Town stun Arsenal on penalties in Carabao Cup shock

Fleetwood Town, a fourth-tier side, produced one of the biggest surprises of the season by eliminating Premier League champions Arsenal from the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The tie at Highbury finished 1-1 after 90 minutes before Fleetwood Town won 5-3 on penalties on Tuesday evening.

Aaron Loballo-Bye put the visitors ahead in the 21st minute, but Arsenal levelled five minutes after half-time when Viktor Gyokeres found the net.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta began with a largely second-string side, although he introduced several first-team players after the break in an attempt to turn the game around. Ben White, Eberechi Eze, Martin Ødegaard, Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes were all brought on.

The Gunners dominated possession and created a number of chances in the second half, but Fleetwood Town defended resolutely and Arsenal could score only once.

Arsenal’s task became more difficult in the 85th minute when their young forward Max Dowman was sent off following an altercation with Fleetwood players.

Ødegaard, Havertz and Gyokeres converted Arsenal’s penalties in the shootout, while Guimaraes missed the team’s fourth attempt. Fleetwood Town then completed the upset by winning 5-3.

Arsenal had reached the fourth round after a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town in the previous round. Fleetwood Town, who compete in the fourth tier of English football, had secured their place in the last 16 for the first time in their history by beating Championship club Sheffield United 1-0.

The result extended Fleetwood Town’s remarkable cup run and saw them eliminate Arsenal after overcoming a team from the Championship. They now await their quarter-final opponents in what stands as one of the largest shocks of the current season.