Fleetwood Town knock Arsenal out of Carabao Cup

League Two Fleetwood Town have made history after knocking Premier League Champions Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup after winning 5-3 on penalties.

The game at Highbury ended 1-1 after 90 minutes with Max Dowman sent off for Arsenal.

Fleetwood, who are 18th in League Two, went ahead after 21 minutes.

Martin Odegaard was introduced at half-time, and Arsenal looked much improved in the second half.

Viktor Gyokeres equalised in the 50th minute, turning in his first goal of the season.

Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch made big saves from Ben White and Odegaard before the match went to penalties.

Fleetwood scored every one of their penalties, with Haughey netting the decisive spot-kick.

The stadium was sold out for the fist time in over a decade, with the club thanking the fans for their support.

"Following unprecedented demand across both sales phases - the remaining tickets were snapped up after going on sale to eligible supporters on Monday.

The club would like to thank supporters for their incredible backing ahead of what promises to be a memorable night under the lights at Highbury."

Before Kick off, Fleetwood Town manager Matt Lawlor said: "The champions are coming to town and they’re coming to our patch. The players need to be excited by it, not overawed by it. The respect is through the roof, but the fear can’t be through the roof.

“We’ve earned a game like this. We’ve had to go through round upon round of tough games, and none of them were easy. To get to where we are, we deserve that.”

Ahead of kick off, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said:

"Our reputation, our pride, everything is in play. So every time you play a football match, and especially against a team in a different division, respect the game, respect every opponent because they deserve that, and then try to win and try to play a bit better than them.

"We know the risk, and in football, things can get very equal the moment you are able to match certain things, and that's why our basics and habits have to be through the roof to be able to win the game."

It’s the first time these two clubs have met, and no matter the result, lifelong fan Ben Knapman's telling us that the money gained from tonight's fixture will be huge for the league 2 side

"We've got nothing to loose, the atmosphere will be incredible. Win loose or draw we want to show them what this town is all about"

Fleetwood currently sit 18th in League 2, but Ben's not letting the Fishermen's recent form dampen his spirits:

"Tonight means everything to the football club, the town, and everyone who lives here. And the fact it's at out stadium, Highbury, means even more"

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