Fleetwood Town, a fourth-tier League Two side, knocked Arsenal, the 2025-2026 Premier League champions, out of the 2026-27 League Cup on Tuesday, sealing the most famous night in the small fishing village club’s history.
Aaron Loupalo-Bi Puts Fleetwood Ahead
The Cod Army took the lead in the 21st minute. Aaron Loupalo-Bi, a 20-year-old forward on loan from Fulham, got in behind the Arsenal defense and beat backup goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who was making his debut for the Gunners, with a low, hard finish.
Arsenal Equalize and Dominate, Then Dowman Is Sent Off
Mikel Arteta brought on senior stars Martin Odegaard and Ben White at halftime. Arsenal were level through Viktor Gyokeres after just five minutes. The Gunners controlled the second half and out-shot Fleetwood 15-2. The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute, however, when 16-year-old Max Dowman was shown a straight red card for kicking out at an opponent following an aggressive slide tackle.
Lynch Becomes the Hero in the Shootout
Fleetwood converted all five of their penalty kicks in the shootout. Goalkeeper Jay Lynch then stonewalled Bruno Guimaraes in the fourth round, sending the club through past a side that sits 84 places above them in the Football League pyramid.
A Club Rising Back Up the Ladder
Fleetwood Town spent 10 seasons in League One, the highest level the club has ever reached, from 2014 to 2024. They were then relegated back to the fourth tier. Their victory over the Premier League champions stands as the biggest result in the club’s history and one of the biggest upsets in English football history, according to the broadcaster’s social media post on the match.