League Cup: fourth-tier Fleetwood Town knock out Arsenal on penalties

Arsenal are out of the League Cup. Fourth-tier Fleetwood Town drew 1-1 with them in normal time and won the penalty shootout 5-3. The match took place on Tuesday 27 October 2026 at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood.

How the match went

The hosts took the lead in the 21st minute. Aaron Loupalo-Bi scored after capitalising on several serious mistakes by Marli Salmon. According to Sportowe Fakty's report, Salmon was one of several players outside the usual first team whom Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta picked that evening.

Arsenal had the upper hand but for a long time could not turn it into a second goal. Viktor Gyokeres equalised just after the break, in the 50th minute. Later the visitors' situation became more difficult. Near the end Max Dowman was shown a red card after he let himself be provoked and kicked an opponent. The score did not change, so the referee ordered a penalty shootout.

The game was also halted for a few minutes. The referee reacted to a drone spotted above the stadium.

The penalties

Both sides scored their first three penalties. In the fourth round Andy Cannon scored for Fleetwood, while Bruno Guimaraes failed to beat the goalkeeper and did not level. Conor Haughey scored the decisive goal for 5-3. The hosts converted all five of their penalties.

The other match of the night

On the same day Bradford City beat Peterborough United 2-0. The goals came from Macaulay Gillesphey in the 13th minute and Adam Phillips in the 67th minute.

The source does not say who Fleetwood Town will face in the next round.