By Basant El-Faramawy
Fleetwood Town, a League Two side, knocked out Premier League champions Arsenal 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday, producing one of the competition's greatest shocks.
Manager Admits No Penalty Practice
Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor revealed his team had not practiced penalties once before the shootout. "We haven't practised once," he said after 19-year-old centre-back Conor Haughey converted the decisive spot-kick. Lawlor also admitted he was unaware the competition had abolished extra-time until an assistant reminded him during the match.
Fleetwood's Early Lead and Defensive Discipline
On-loan Fulham forward Aaron Loupalo-Bi gave Fleetwood a 21st-minute lead, shrugging off 17-year-old Arsenal centre-back Marli Salmon before beating debutant goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Despite Arsenal's £100m forward pairing of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, Fleetwood's deep defence held firm, with Rhys Bennett blocking a point-blank Havertz volley and goalkeeper Jay Lynch directing his backline vocally.
Arsenal's Second-Half Siege and Red Card
Arsenal introduced Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze and Bruno Guimaraes, with Odegaard creating the most danger. The visitors equalised through Gyokeres, but the tie turned when 16-year-old Max Dowman, recently highlighted by Lionel Messi as a future star, was sent off for kicking out at Harrison Neal. Arsenal still fashioned three clear chances, but Lynch saved from Ben White and Odegaard while Havertz headed wide.
Penalty Shootout Heroics
In the shootout, Odegaard scored Arsenal's first penalty, but Fleetwood responded with clinical finishes. Lynch saved Guimaraes' stuttering effort, leaving Haughey to slot the winner top-corner. The victory marks the first time since Wrexham in 1992 that a fourth-tier side has eliminated the reigning English champions in a domestic cup.
