Match Report: Abysmal Arsenal Downed In Shocking Cup Upset

Arsenal crashed out of the Carabao Cup in the fourth round after losing 5-3 to Fleetwood Town on penalties as the hosts completed one of the biggest upsets in English football history.

As expected, Arsenal started the game on the front foot, but were unable to make it count with the game suspended for seven minutes due to a drone flying over Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium.

Once play had resumed after a lengthy delay, Arsenal never managed to get going. Despite Arteta’s side enjoying the large majority of possession, they were unable to trouble Lynch in the Cods’ net. Arsenal’s best chance of the first half fell to youngster Max Dowman, who only managed to scuff a shot wide of the left-hand post, which, in turn, ended up diverting away from Gyökeres by inches, who would have had a tap-in if he was able to make contact with the ball.

As the half went on, Arsenal were clearly becoming frustrated at their lack of openings, and their evening turned from bad to worse as their League Two hosts took the lead around the 20-minute mark. A brilliant run from on-loan Fulham striker Aaron Loupalo-Bi was briefly stopped by Marli Salmon, who in the end was not strong enough as his slide tackle ricocheted the ball back to the striker, who managed to slide the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Illan Meslier to take a shock lead.

Arsenal, who continued to enjoy the majority of the ball, were unable to find the back of the net and Arteta’s men went into the break behind. Havertz had a huge chance to level proceedings late on in the half, but he could only send his header miles over the bar. The Gunners were now looking to avoid one of the biggest cup upsets to grace English football.

HALF TIME: Fleetwood Town 1 - Arsenal 0 (Loupalo-Bi 21’)

Into the second half and Mikel Arteta brought on the cavalry, with Ben White and Martin Ødegaard stepping out onto the Highbury turf. The impact was immediate, with the Arsenal captain beginning to dictate the play.

Early on in the second half, and Arsenal were level as Viktor Gyökeres managed to bundle the ball home to score his first goal of the season. As the half continued, Arsenal continued to press for the winner, peppering the hosts’ box, but the Fleetwood Town defence stayed resolute.

The names continued to enter the pitch across the second half for Arsenal, with Eze, Konsa and Guimarães entering the fray, but still a winner wasn’t coming and with 10 minutes to go, a poor night for Arsenal got even worse. Young star Max Dowman was shown a first red card of his short senior career, after lashing out following a disgusting challenge.

There was still time for one last chance, however, with Lynch managing to keep a certain goal-bound effort out from Ben White, who looked to have poked the ball home at the back post.

Arsenal weren’t able to find a winner and so it was on to penalties.

FULL TIME: Fleetwood Town 1 - Arsenal 1 (Loupalo-Bi 21’, Gyökeres 50’)

Onto the penalty shootout, and it was the hosts who completed one of the biggest shocks in English football history. With Bruno Guimarães' spot kick saved, Arsenal exited the cup losing 5-3 on penalties. A dark day in the history of the club.