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Fleetwood Town have secured a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after producing a stunning upset against Arsenal, while Bradford City also progressed to the last eight following their victory over Peterborough United. According to a report by Daily Post on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, the two clubs advanced after their respective fourth-round matches on Tuesday night.
Fleetwood, who compete in League Two, held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw before defeating Mikel Arteta’s side in a penalty shoot-out. The result marked a memorable achievement for the lower-league club, which overcame a Premier League opponent to continue its journey in the competition.
The hosts made a strong start and took the lead in the first half through Aaron Loupalo-Bi. His low effort found the net and put Fleetwood in front, giving the home side an early advantage against one of England’s leading clubs.
Arsenal responded after the break as Viktor Gyokeres scored to restore parity. The goal was particularly significant for the striker, as it marked his first goal of the season. His equaliser gave the Gunners renewed hope of avoiding an embarrassing exit and securing their place in the next round.
Despite creating further opportunities, Arsenal could not find a decisive second goal before the end of normal time. Fleetwood remained competitive and defended their position, forcing the contest to be settled through penalties after the match finished level.
The shoot-out ultimately proved decisive in determining which team would advance. Arsenal suffered a costly setback when Bruno Guimaraes failed to convert his penalty, giving Fleetwood an important opportunity to take control of the contest.
Conor Haughey then stepped forward for Fleetwood and successfully converted the decisive kick, sending goalkeeper Illan Meslier the wrong way. His effort confirmed the League Two side’s progression to the quarter-finals and completed a remarkable night for the club.
For Arsenal, the defeat represents a significant disappointment. Arteta’s team had entered the match hoping to continue its pursuit of the Carabao Cup, but their failure to secure victory against lower-league opposition brought their campaign to an unexpected end.
The result will also raise questions about Arsenal’s ability to turn their attacking opportunities into goals when facing determined opposition. Although Gyokeres managed to end his scoring drought, the Gunners were unable to build on his equaliser and ultimately paid the price during the penalty shoot-out.
Fleetwood, meanwhile, can take considerable confidence from eliminating a high-profile opponent and earning a place among the final eight teams. Their performance demonstrated the uncertainty of knockout football, where a lower-ranked side can progress through disciplined play and effective execution in decisive moments.
Bradford City also celebrated qualification for the quarter-finals after defeating Peterborough United 2-0 in another fourth-round encounter on Tuesday night. The victory ensured that Bradford joined Fleetwood among the teams advancing to the next stage of the competition.
With both clubs now through to the last eight, attention will turn to the remaining fourth-round fixtures and the eventual quarter-final draw. Fleetwood’s elimination of Arsenal stands out as one of the round’s most notable results, while Bradford’s victory provides another boost to their Carabao Cup campaign.