Fleetwood Town beat Arsenal in Carabao Cup shock
League Two side Fleetwood Town defeated Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties in the Carabao Cup.
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Fleetwood Town has achieved the biggest victory in its history, defeating Premier League champions Arsenal 5-3 on penalties in the Carabao Cup. The League Two club reached the EFL Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic match at Highbury Stadium.
Match details
Wealdstone FC faces Worthing in FA Cup qualifying round
The north-west London club will compete in the fourth qualifying round with a place in the main draw at stake.
The home side took a 21st-minute lead through Aaron Loupalo-Bi. Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, equalised after the break via Viktor Gyokeres. The match was decided by a penalty shootout after finishing 1-1 in normal time. Arsenal's Max Dowman received a red card in the 86th minute.
In the shootout, Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved a penalty from Arsenal's Bruno Guimaraes. Conor Haughey scored the decisive spot-kick for Fleetwood, securing their progression.
Context of cup upsets
Wealdstone to host Dover Athletic in FA Cup first round
The draw for the 2026-27 FA Cup first round has pitted Wealdstone against Dover Athletic at home.
This result is ranked among the most significant upsets in the competition's history. Fleetwood Town, who were 19th in the fourth tier of English football, were ranked 84 places below Arsenal.
Other notable cup shocks include Grimsby Town beating Manchester United 12-11 on penalties in the 2025 League Cup, and Plymouth defeating Liverpool 1-0 in the 2025 FA Cup. In 2015, Bradford City beat Chelsea 4-2 in the FA Cup, and Oldham overcame Liverpool 3-2 in the same competition in 2013. Bradford City also defeated Arsenal on penalties in the 2012 League Cup, and Northampton beat Liverpool 4-2 on penalties in the 2010 League Cup. York City famously beat Manchester United 3-0 in the 1995 League Cup.
Questions this report answers
+How did Fleetwood Town beat Arsenal?
Fleetwood Town defeated Arsenal 5-3 on penalties in the Carabao Cup in 2026. The match finished 1-1 after normal time, with Fleetwood's goalkeeper Jay Lynch saving a crucial penalty before Conor Haughey scored the winning spot-kick.
+What was the score in the match before penalties?
The score was 1-1 after normal time. Aaron Loupalo-Bi scored for Fleetwood Town in the 21st minute, and Viktor Gyokeres equalised for Arsenal in the second half.
+When did this Carabao Cup match take place?
The Carabao Cup match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal took place in 2026. Fleetwood Town secured their place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals with this victory.
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