Fourth-tier Fleetwood stun Premier League champions Arsenal in League Cup shootout

Jay Lynch saves Bruno Guimaraes’ penalty before Conor Haughey seals 5-3 shootout victory

Fourth-tier Fleetwood Town produced one of the biggest upsets in English League Cup history by eliminating Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties Tuesday. Fleetwood won the shootout 5-3 at Highbury Stadium after the fourth-round tie ended 1-1 in normal time, reaching the competition’s quarterfinals for the first time. The English Football League said the hosts entered the match 84 places below Arsenal in the English football pyramid. Aaron Loupalo-Bi gave Fleetwood a surprise lead in the 21st minute, overpowering Arsenal teenager Marli Salmon before finishing past debutant goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Arsenal controlled possession after falling behind but struggled to convert their chances against Fleetwood’s disciplined defense. Mikel Arteta introduced captain Martin Odegaard at halftime, and Viktor Gyokeres equalized five minutes after the restart. The Swedish striker converted from close range following an attack involving 18-year-old Ceadach O’Neill, who was making his first senior start for Arsenal. The visitors increased the pressure as the second half progressed, but goalkeeper Jay Lynch repeatedly denied them. He made important late saves against Ben White and Odegaard to send the match to penalties. Arsenal finished the game with 10 players after 16-year-old Max Dowman was shown a red card for kicking out following a challenge by Fleetwood midfielder Harrison Neal in the 85th minute. Fleetwood converted all five of their penalties through Ronan Coughlan, Neal, Will Davies, Andy Cannon and Conor Haughey. Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gyokeres scored Arsenal’s first three attempts, but Lynch saved substitute Bruno Guimaraes’ fourth penalty. Haughey then converted the decisive kick, sparking a pitch invasion and celebrations among the home supporters. The match had also been interrupted shortly after kickoff when an unauthorized drone flew above the stadium, causing play to be suspended for several minutes. Arteta fielded a much-changed side ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League match against Liverpool on Sunday, although the starting lineup still included Gyokeres, Havertz, Martin Zubimendi, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie. Fleetwood had never previously reached the League Cup’s fourth round. Before Tuesday, they were also winless in five matches against top-flight opposition. Arsenal’s elimination echoed their 2012 League Cup defeat to fourth-tier Bradford City, who also knocked the London club out on penalties following a 1-1 draw.