Fleetwood Town eliminated Arsenal from the Carabao Cup with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory. The League Two side secured their place in the quarter-finals after a 5-4 win in the shootout. Arsenal, who had not lost in the competition since 2017, were stunned by the result. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, forcing a penalty shootout. Fleetwood's Conor Haughey scored the winning spot-kick, while Arsenal's Declan Rice missed his.
The defeat has sparked controversy. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed frustration, while Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch claimed the Gunners' players did not handle the loss well. Lynch described the post-match behavior as unprofessional. The incident also led to a red card for Arsenal's Max Dowman, which the club has appealed.
Sky Sports faced backlash for broadcasting a live interview with Haughey, who used strong language after the win. The network quickly issued an apology. Meanwhile, Liverpool, Arsenal's upcoming opponents, received a boost as their manager, Andoni Iraola, was reportedly given tactical advantages.
The Carabao Cup result marks a significant setback for Arsenal, ending their hopes of progressing further in the competition. The team will now focus on their Premier League campaign, with several key players potentially returning for the upcoming match against Liverpool.
