Arsenal stunned in all-time upset against tiny fourth-tier club
Updated . First published
Fourth-tier Fleetwood Town have pulled off one of the great League Cup upsets, downing Premier League champions Arsenal in a penalty shootout on Wednesday (AEDT).
The teams were locked at 1-1 in regulation time before Fleetwood won the shootout 5-3.
Fleetwood’s players celebrate after winning a penalty shootout. AP Photo/Ian Hodgson
Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch was the hero, saving Brazil star Bruno Guimarães’ penalty before Conor Haughey clinched victory and sent his jubilant side into the quarter-finals.
The clubs are separated by 84 positions in the English football pyramid.
Adding to a strange night at Highbury Stadium - which holds just 5300 fans - was a drone stopping play in the second minute.
Play was stopped for eight minutes as the referee spoke to the stadium safety officer, both managers and some players before restarting the game.
Arsenal wonder-kid Max Dowman was sent off in the 86th minute after reacting angrily to Harrison Neal’s challenge, appearing to kick out at the Fleetwood midfielder.
“If they’d have had VAR they might have looked at it again. I feel for the lad. He’s 16, hasn’t had the greatest night, is a bit frustrated and has kicked away,” Arsenal great Paul Merson said in commentary.
“I’d be interested to see what Mikel Arteta said to him when he walked off. This didn’t look good to me at all.”
Neal got away with a yellow card for his agricultural challenge.
“The best way to describe it is a forceful League Two tackle and Premier League reaction to it. You don’t often see people flying like that with challenges in the Premier League. They do act a certain way. In League Two, it’s part and parcel with football,” former Everton midfielder Leon Osman said.
Fleetwood had never reached the League Cup round-of-16 before and are battling in 18th place in League Two.
Arsenal manager Arteta rested stars Declan Rice, Gabriel and David Raya but still put out a strong lineup.
Bruno Guimaraes of Arsenal walks up to take his team’s fourth penalty. Getty Images
Arteta also brought on captain Martin Ødegaard at halftime with Fleetwood leading 1-0.
Arsenal also lost their last penalty shootout - to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in May.
“A really sad day for us,” Arteta said.
“We have a massive responsibility to carry this badge in the best possible way. It had nothing to do with effort or application or determination to win it, but we lacked other things.”
It was sheer jubilation in the home dressing room.
“The biggest night in the club’s history in terms of opposition coming to town, and we’ve managed to beat the champions,” Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor said.
Goalkeeper Lynch said his team had taken inspiration from a previous upset.
Jay Lynch of Fleetwood Town celebrates. Getty Images
“We took heart from Grimsby beating Man United last year,” Lynch said.
“We kind of compared it. Amazing for the club, the town. Honestly, it means everything to everyone.”
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