According to a post on Fleetwood Town’s official Facebook account on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the League Two side recorded a historic victory over Arsenal, eliminating the reigning Premier League champions from the Carabao Cup after a 1-1 draw and a 5-3 win on penalties in the fourth round.

The result marked a major upset in English football, as Arsenal became the first reigning Premier League champions to be knocked out of the League Cup by a fourth-tier club. Fleetwood, who play in League Two, overcame the huge difference in resources and reputation between the two teams to secure a memorable victory at Highbury Stadium.

The gap between the clubs was reflected in their reported squad valuations. Arsenal’s squad was valued at approximately €1.4 billion, while Fleetwood’s was worth around €2.8 million. Despite the financial difference, Fleetwood competed strongly against their more established opponents and took the match to a penalty shootout.

Fleetwood made their opportunity count when Aaron Loupalo-Bi scored to give the home side the lead. Arsenal responded through Viktor Gyökeres, who found the net to bring the Premier League side level and keep their hopes of progressing to the next round alive.

However, Arsenal faced another challenge late in the second half when teenage forward Max Dowman was sent off. The dismissal left the visitors with 10 players for the closing stages and made their task more difficult as they attempted to find a winning goal.

Neither team managed to break the deadlock before the final whistle, forcing the contest to be decided by penalties. Fleetwood showed composure from the spot, converting all five of their attempts to put pressure on Arsenal.

The decisive moment came when Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved Bruno Guimarães’ penalty, giving the hosts a crucial advantage in the shootout. Nineteen-year-old defender Conor Haughey then stepped forward and converted the winning kick to complete a 5-3 penalty victory.

The final penalty sparked celebrations among Fleetwood’s players and supporters, with fans entering the pitch to mark a result that could become one of the most memorable moments in the club’s history.

For Arsenal, the defeat brought their Carabao Cup campaign to an unexpected end. The result also raised questions about their performance on a night when Fleetwood’s determination and composure proved decisive. For the League Two club, beating the reigning Premier League champions represented a remarkable achievement and an opportunity to attract wider attention across English football.