17 biggest cup upsets of all time and where Arsenal's humiliation by Fleetwood ranks

Premier League holders Arsenal were stunned by League Two Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup but there have been bigger shocks in the past

Tuesday's Carabao Cup action brought about one of the biggest shocks of this or any recent season. Arsenal travelled to Fleetwood Town as Premier League champions, while they reached the final of the cup competition last season. Aaron Loupalo-Bi put the League Two side in front at the break, with Viktor Gyokeres' scrappy equaliser drawing Mikel Arteta's side level. Max Dowman, the hero of the Gunners' third-round win at Ipswich, was sent off late on and the hosts won on penalties after goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved from Bruno Guimaraes.

"I just can't believe it," Fleetwood boss Matt Lawlor told Sky Sports after his team's victory. "The biggest night in the club's history in terms of opposition coming to town and we've managed to beat the champions." Of course, it isn't the first time we've seen a shock of this magnitude in one of English football's domestic cups. Here, we have taken a look at how the Cod Army's victory compares to some of those dramatic upsets of years gone by.

17. Wigan Athletic 1-0 Manchester City, 2018

Wigan Athletic v Manchester City - The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round — Wigan's FA Cup final win in 2013 was a big enough shock, though that was at least a battle between two Premier League teams. The Latics were down in League One when they welcomed Pep Guardiola's champions-elect in 2018, and Will Grigg's winner ensured Wigan secured three cup wins over City in the space of five years. (Image: Getty)

16. Oldham Athletic 3-2 Liverpool, 2013

Soccer : FA Cup Round Four - Oldham Athletic v Liverpool — Between mid-December and early February in the 2012/13 season, Oldham Athletic didn't win a single match in League One. Remarkably, though, that same period included a 3-2 FA Cup victory over Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool. Matt Smith, who had been playing Conference North football until his early 20s, won the battle of the strikers against Luis Suarez. However, the decisive goal was scored by ex-Manchester City youngster Reece Wabara in his final game for the third-tier club. (Image: Getty)

15. Chorley 2-0 Derby County, 2021

Chorley v Derby County - FA Cup Third Round — Championship side Derby County were depleted by a Covid-19 outbreak before travelling to face Chorley of the National League North, but the non-league outfit still had to get the job done. "For a team who were bottom of National League North after four games with zero points, to get to round four is unbelievable," said Chorley boss Jamie Vermiglio, who combined his duties with a day job as a headteacher. (Image: Getty)

14. Chasetown 1-0 Port Vale, 2007

Chasetown v Port Vale - FA Cup 2nd Round Replay — Most non-league teams will only get one chance to see off higher-level opposition. The fact that eighth-tier Chasetown earned a replay against third-tier Port Vale and then won makes this all the more impressive. Chasetown entered the 2007/08 FA Cup in the preliminary round and sat more than 100 spots behind their League One opponents before the game, but earned a 1-1 draw before Danny Smith's late goal sent the fans wild at Church Street (Image: Getty)

13. Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City, 2015

Soccer - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Chelsea v Bradford City - Stamford Bridge — The 2014/15 Chelsea squad won the league title under Jose Mourinho, conceding just 32 times in 38 games. When they went 2-0 up at home to League One Bradford City in the FA Cup, most would have considered the game done and dusted, but not the Bantams. After Jon Stead halved the deficit before half-time, former Blues youngster Filipe Morais, with Andy Halliday and Mark Yeates completing a remarkable turnaround. Chelsea didn't lose another match in any competition for nearly four months, making the outcome all the more unbelievable. (Image: Getty)

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Premier League holders Arsenal were stunned by League Two Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup but there have been bigger shocks in the past

17. Wigan Athletic 1-0 Manchester City, 2018

16. Oldham Athletic 3-2 Liverpool, 2013

15. Chorley 2-0 Derby County, 2021

14. Chasetown 1-0 Port Vale, 2007

13. Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City, 2015

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