Fleetwood Town Eliminates Arsenal From League Cup

Arsenal was eliminated from the League Cup on Tuesday by Fleetwood Town, a fourth-tier side that defeated the Premier League champions 5-3 on penalties.

The tie ended 1-1 in regular time at Fleetwood’s home ground, which shares the name Highbury with Arsenal’s former stadium. The result marked the most lopsided upset in the competition’s history.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, made nine changes to his starting lineup following a 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday. Only Myles Lewis-Skelly and Viktor Gyokeres retained their places from that match. The squad also featured teenagers Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, while 18-year-old Ceadach O’Neill made his first-team debut.

Fleetwood Town, currently in 18th place in League Two, had lost its previous two league games to Exeter City and Cheltenham. The match began after an eight-minute delay caused by an unauthorized drone flying over the pitch. The wind from the Irish Sea added to the conditions on the field.

Fleetwood took the lead in the 21st minute. Aaron Loupalo-Bi bypassed 17-year-old defender Marli Salmon to enter the penalty area and scored a low shot past debutant goalkeeper Illan Meslier. The goal was celebrated with the theme song from the children’s cartoon Captain Pugwash playing over the stadium tannoy.

Arsenal controlled possession for the remainder of the first half but failed to create clear chances. Arteta substituted Martin Odegaard at the break. Five minutes into the second half, Gyokeres equalized by finishing a pass from O’Neill from close range after struggling with his marker.

In the 85th minute, Dowman received a red card for violent conduct. The 16-year-old midfielder kicked Harrison Neal after a strong challenge. Arteta spoke to Dowman as he left the field, appearing displeased with the decision.

The shootout began with both teams converting their first three attempts. Arsenal’s Bruno Guimaraes had his penalty saved by Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch. Conor Haughey then scored the winning penalty for Fleetwood.

Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor cried on the sideline as fans flooded the pitch. The victory over Arsenal extends a pattern of recent cup upsets involving the Gunners. In 2012, Arsenal lost to fourth-tier Bradford on penalties. Last season, the team was eliminated by second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup. In 2022, Arsenal lost to Championship side Nottingham Forest in the same competition.

Arsenal had tied Manchester City for the Premier League lead on Saturday. The team had won 11 of its previous 13 matches. The loss to Fleetwood ends that run and leaves the club to return to north London following a defeat that many fans and observers describe as a historic embarrassment.