Arsenal, the Premier League champions, were stunned by Fleetwood in a League Cup penalty shoot-out on Tuesday, crashing out 5-3 on penalties after the tie finished 1-1 in normal time. The defeat is one of the most humiliating in Arsenal's history, with Mikel Arteta's side making nine changes to their lineup in preparation for Sunday's Premier League trip to Liverpool. The decision backfired spectacularly, with Arsenal's 16-year-old rising star Max Dowman sent off for violent conduct in the closing stages.
Fleetwood, nicknamed the 'Cod Army' in reference to the town's fishing industry, showed no signs of being intimidated by their illustrious visitors. The match began with an eight-minute delay due to an unauthorised drone flying over the stadium, before Arsenal were caught cold on a windy night by the Irish Sea. Aaron Loupalo-Bi scored Fleetwood's opener in the 21st minute, muscling his way past Arsenal's 17-year-old defender Marli Salmon with ease.
Arsenal monopolised possession after the shock, but Arteta grew visibly agitated with their lack of cutting edge. Arteta sent on Martin Odegaard at half-time, and Viktor Gyokeres equalised for Arsenal five minutes later. The goal was a scrappy effort, with Gyokeres wrestling with his marker before poking Ceadach O'Neill's ball past Fleetwood's goalkeeper Jay Lynch.
Dowman saw red in the 85th minute, dismissed for kicking out at Harrison Neal after a strong challenge from the Fleetwood midfielder. Although it looked a harsh decision, Arteta was unimpressed with Dowman, giving him a stern word as the midfielder trudged off. The match ultimately went to a penalty shoot-out, where Arsenal's Bruno Guimaraes had his penalty saved by Lynch.
Conor Haughey scored Fleetwood's winner in the shoot-out, sealing the biggest shock in League Cup history. The result will be remembered forever as the site of Arsenal's most chastening loss in the Arteta era, at Fleetwood's tiny 5,327-capacity ground. Fleetwood boss Matt Lawlor wept tears of joy as disbelieving fans flooded the pitch to celebrate their club's astonishing victory.
The defeat ranks among the darkest days in Arsenal's glittering history, with previous painful defeats including a League Cup loss against fourth-tier Bradford on penalties in 2012. Arteta's team were also beaten by second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup last season and lost to Nottingham Forest in the same competition in 2022.
Only Myles Lewis-Skelly and Viktor Gyokeres kept their places from the previous game, with teenagers Dowman and Salmon starting, while 18-year-old winger Ceadach O'Neill made his debut. The win for Fleetwood, who had lost their previous two league games, marks a remarkable upset for the 'Cod Army'.
Key points
- Arsenal's 5-3 penalty shoot-out loss to Fleetwood marked one of the most humiliating defeats in the club's history.
- The defeat came after Arsenal made nine changes to their lineup in preparation for Sunday's Premier League trip to Liverpool.
- Fleetwood's victory marked a remarkable upset for the fourth-tier side, who had lost their previous two league games.
