Fourth-tier Fleetwood Town pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent English football on Tuesday night, knocking Premier League champions Arsenal out of the League Cup. The fourth-round tie ended 1-1 in normal time, and Fleetwood won the penalty shootout 5-3.
Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved Bruno Guimaraes's penalty, and Conor Haughey scored the decisive kick. Aaron Loupalo-Bi had given the home side the lead in the 21st minute, before Viktor Gyokeres equalised five minutes into the second half. Arsenal's 16-year-old Max Dowman was sent off for violent conduct late in the game.
Manager Mikel Arteta made nine changes with Sunday's Premier League trip to Liverpool in mind, and the gamble backfired. Arsenal had drawn level on points with leaders Manchester City after beating Everton 2-0 at the weekend and had won 11 of their previous 13 games.
Fleetwood, 18th in League Two and beaten in their last two league matches, showed no fear at their 5,327-capacity ground. Fans flooded the pitch at the final whistle and manager Matt Lawlor was in tears, as the result went down as one of the most humiliating defeats of the Arteta era.