EPL Champion Arsenal Suffers Shock Upset to 4th-Tier Fleetwood in Carabao Cup

English Premier League (EPL) champion Arsenal has fallen victim to a historic upset in the Carabao Cup (League Cup).

English lower-league side Fleetwood Town advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Arsenal in a penalty shootout during their Carabao Cup Round of 16 match at their home ground, Highbury Stadium.

The two teams finished regulation in a 1-1 draw before heading to penalties, where Fleetwood won 5-3 to claim victory.

It marked a historic upset as Fleetwood, 18th in League Two (the fourth tier), downed Arsenal, who sits second in the EPL.

For Arsenal, the match proved frustrating as they dominated possession (78% to 22%) and shots (26 to 3) but suffered from a lack of clinical finishing.

While Fleetwood managed 2 shots on target out of 3 total attempts, Arsenal struggled with their efficiency, managing only 7 shots on target despite unleashing a barrage of shots.


Fleetwood was the first to seize the initiative.

In the 21st minute of the first half, Aaron Lupallo-Viga scored a surprise opening goal with a powerful left-footed shot from inside the box.

Arsenal equalized in the 5th minute of the second half when Viktor Gyökeres poked home a loose ball that the opponent defense failed to properly clear during a goalmouth scramble.

However, despite numerous scoring chances afterwards, Arsenal repeatedly failed to capitalize and ultimately could not turn the game around.

Instead, they were reduced to 10 men in the 41st minute of the second half when young prospect Max Dowman was sent off for retaliating with a kick following a heavy tackle by Harrison Neal.

Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch also shone with a dazzling display of saves.

Lynch consecutively blocked crucial shots from Ben White and Martin Ødegaard late in the match, dragging the game into a penalty shootout.

In the ensuing shootout, Lynch saved Bruno Guimarães' kick, and Fleetwood's final kicker, Conor Haughey, calmly found the back of the net to put the finishing touch on the massive upset.

As victory was confirmed, enthusiastic home fans poured onto the pitch, and Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor shed tears of overwhelming emotion.

Fleetwood's quarterfinal opponent will be decided via a draw held right after the upcoming match between Chelsea and Liverpool.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News, Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.