Fleetwood Town stun Arsenal on penalties in Cup

Arsenal were eliminated from the English Cup on Tuesday after a dramatic penalty shoot‑out at Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium in England, where the fourth‑tier side prevailed 5‑3 on penalties following a 1‑1 draw in regular time. The victory marked one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s 66‑year history.

First‑half action

Arsenal did not field a full‑strength side, with first‑team regulars Declan Rice, Gabriel and David Raya absent. Manager Mikel Arteta nevertheless selected a strong eleven, naming Martin Odegaard captain and bringing him on at half‑time while Fleetwood led 1‑0. Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres levelled the tie in the 50th minute, restoring parity.

The match ended 1‑1 after regulation time, but the drama continued when 16‑year‑old prodigy Max Dowman was sent off in the 85th minute for a reckless kick. Arteta appeared to reprimand the teenager as he left the pitch. Fleetwood’s home crowd of 5,300 watched the tension rise.

Shoot‑out and aftermath

In the penalty shoot‑out Fleetwood converted every spot‑kick, defeating the Premier League champions 5‑3. Bruno Guimaraes saw his attempt saved, while Conor Haughey sealed the win with the decisive penalty. Jubilant supporters poured onto the field in celebration.

Arsenal match in the League Cup at Fleetwood halted due to drone

Fleetwood Town sit 84 places below Arsenal in the English football pyramid, occupying 18th spot in League Two, the fourth tier. They were the lowest‑ranked club remaining and had never progressed this far in the competition before. The venue, Highbury Stadium, shares its name with Arsenal’s former ground used from 1913 to 2006.

Arsenal’s recent history includes a penalty‑shootout defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest last season. This loss, however, came in a far more glamorous setting, making the current upset appear even more humiliating.

The club’s recent past also features former owner Andy Pilley receiving a 13‑year prison term for fraud, an appeal he lost in February this year. The conviction has cast a shadow over the town’s footballing achievements.