League Two side Fleetwood Town shocked the football world by knocking Premier League champions Arsenal out of the 2026-27 League Cup on Tuesday, securing the most famous night in the tiny fishing village club’s history.
Fleetwood took the lead in the 21st minute. Aaron Loupalo-Bi, the 20-year-old forward on loan from Fulham, got in behind Arsenal’s defence and beat backup goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who was making his debut for the Gunners, with a low, hard finish.
Arsenal fight back
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta brought on senior stars Martin Odegaard and Ben White at half-time. The visitors levelled through Viktor Gyokeres just five minutes after the restart. Arsenal then dominated the second half, outshooting Fleetwood 15-2.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute, but the dismissed player was not from Fleetwood. Max Dowman, Arsenal’s 16-year-old, was sent off for kicking out at an opponent after an aggressive slide tackle, earning a straight red card for retaliation.
Penalty shootout heroics
The tie went to a penalty shootout, where Fleetwood converted all five of their kicks. Goalkeeper Jay Lynch then saved from Bruno Guimaraes in the fourth round, sending the club through at the expense of a side that sits 84 places above them in the Football League pyramid.
Fleetwood Town spent 10 seasons in League One, the highest level the club has ever reached, between 2014 and 2024. They were relegated back to the fourth tier that year.