League Two Fleetwood Town recorded one of the Carabao Cup’s greatest ever upsets after dumping out Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties.
Fleetwood took a shock lead in the first half through Fulham loanee Aaron Loupalo-Bi, but it looked as though Mikel Arteta’s side would take control when Viktor Gyokeres scored his first goal of the season only five minutes into the second half.
But the Gunners were unable to get their noses after a brilliant display by the League Two side, who are just above the relegation zone, with the game forced into penalties after ending level after 90 minutes, wth Dowman seeing red for kicking out just before the end of play.
After Bruno Guimaraes’ penalty was saved in the shootout, Conor Haughey buried his to spark pure jubilation at Highbury in what will go down as one of the EFL Cup’s greatest ever upsets.
Match Statistics
Drone chaos before Fleetwood stun Arsenal in first half
The match was barely underway when a drone above the stadium caused bizarre scenes and forced a lengthy stoppage, with Arsenal eventually testing Fleetwood from a free-kick after play resumed, only for Hincapie to head over.
Fleetwood grew into the game, causing problems with Batty’s long throws and defending resolutely as Arsenal struggled to create clear chances.
The hosts stunned the Premier League champions in the 21st minute as Loupalo-Bi chased a ball in behind, outmuscled teenage defender Salmon and poked the ball through Meslier’s legs to send Highbury wild.
Arsenal’s response lacked conviction, with Max Dowman dragging a promising chance wide before Kai Havertz headed over from a cross by the lively teenager.
Jurrien Timber also headed over from a late free-kick as Arsenal piled on some pressure in seven minutes of added time, but Fleetwood held firm to take a remarkable 1-0 lead into the break.
Dowman sees red as Fleetwood hold their own
Arsenal needed just five minutes after the break to equalise, with debutant Cedach O’Neill’s low cross causing chaos in the Fleetwood box before Gyokeres poked home from close range.
The visitors piled on the pressure, with Kai Havertz firing over and Myles Lewis-Skelly curling narrowly wide as Arsenal threatened to take control.
That control had far from been secured though even as we reached the 70th minute, with the match very much in the balance as Mikel Arteta opted to keep his big guns on the pitch to try and win the game. It was needed in the circumstances, but it is also not the ideal scenario ahead of facing Liverpool on Saturday.
Fleetwood continued to build momentum late in the game and got a decent chance in the 82nd minute, with Meslier forced into a close-range save after the hosts caused chaos in the Arsenal box, and with five minutes to go, penalties behan to look likely.
Fleetwood’s chances were hugely boosted when 16-year-old Dowman was shown a straight red for reacting with a kick towards a Fleetwood defender after a strong challenge on the youngster.
It was perhaps harsh, but undoubtedly foolish from the inexperienced teenager in a hostile atmosphere. Arteta was clearly unimpressed, with his manager appearing to take issue with the youngster as he made his way off the pitch.
Ben White so nearly won it at the death after a ball across the box from Eze but an outstanding save from Jay Lynch on the goal-line, before rising up to thwart a Gunners shot from the edge of the box.
Another flash of goal for Fleetwood to grab a late win came before the referee blew for full-time as penalties were confirmed.
Guimaraes misses as Fleetwood triumph
The first three penalties for each side were excellently taken to keep the shootout level, with Harrison Neal in particularly smashing home an impressive penalty to cap off what was a brilliant display.
Andy Cannon continued the trend by netting his, piling the pressure on Guimareas to score his to avoid handing match point to the hosts. Up stepped the summer signing, whose spotkick was read by the keeper.
Haughey was the man to step up for the hosts, with the Irishman sending Meslier the wrong way to secure a historic win.
Carabao Cup last 16 fixtures
Wednesday 28, October 2026
Thursday 29, October 2026
Carabao Cup: When is the draw for the EFL Cup quarter finals?
The draw will take place on Wednesday, October 28 after the quarter-final between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Presenter Dave Jones will host the draw alongside former England defenders Conor Coady and Graeme Le Saux.
What time is the EFL Cup quarter final draw?
The game at Anfield kicks off at 20:00 GMT (16:00 ET / 13:00 PT) and will go straight to penalties if the scoreline is level after 90 minutes.
That means the draw is likely to take place at approximately 22:00 GMT (18:00 ET / 15:00 PT), depending on added time and whether spot kicks are required.
EFL Cup: What channel is the Carabao Cup draw on?
All eight ties are on Sky Sports, with the game between Liverpool and Chelsea also available on ITV1.
