Fourth-tier Fleetwood Town knocked Premier League champions Arsenal out of the 2026-27 League Cup on Tuesday, sealing the most famous night in the small fishing village club’s history.
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 Arsenal’s defense and beat backup goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who was making his debut for the Gunners, with a low, hard finish.
Arsenal Equalize and Dominate
Mikel Arteta brought on senior stars Martin Odegaard and Ben White at halftime, and Arsenal were level just five minutes later through Viktor Gyokeres. Arsenal controlled the second half and out-shot Fleetwood 15-2. The visitors were then reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute, 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
Despite being a man down, Fleetwood held firm. The club converted all five of its penalty kicks in the shootout, and goalkeeper Jay Lynch stonewalled Bruno Guimaraes in the fourth round to eliminate the club that sits 84 places above them in the Football League pyramid.
A Club on the Rise
Fleetwood Town spent 10 seasons in League One, the highest level the club has ever reached, from 2014 to 2024. They were relegated back to the fourth tier that year.