League Two side Fleetwood Town shocked the world and knocked Premier League champions Arsenal out of the 2026-27 League Cup on Tuesday, sealing the most famous night in the tiny fishing village club’s history.
The Cod Army took the lead in the 21 minute when 20-year-old forward Aaron Loupalo-Bi (on loan from Fulham) got in behind Arsenal’s defense and beat backup goalkeeper Illan Meslier, making his debut for the Gunners, with a low and hard finish.
Mikel Arteta brought on senior stars Martin Odegaard and Ben White at halftime, and Arsenal were level through Viktor Gyokeres after just five minutes. It was all Arsenal in the second half as they out-shot Fleetwood 15-2, but the visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute after 16-year-old Max Dowman was sent off for kicking out at an opponent following an aggressive slide tackle.
Fleetwood converted all five of their penalty kicks in the shootout and goalkeeper Jay Lynch stonewalled Bruno Guimaraes in the fourth round to bounce the club that currently sits 84 places above them in the Football League pyramid.