Arsenal suffer historic League Cup shock as Fleetwood win on penalties

Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s League Cup elimination by fourth-tier Fleetwood Town as “a very sad day” after the Premier League champions were beaten in one of the most embarrassing results in their history.

Fleetwood won 5-3 on penalties at Highbury Stadium after an extraordinary fourth-round tie ended 1-1 following normal time. Arsenal’s Bruno Guimaraes saw his spot-kick saved by Jay Lynch before Conor Haughey converted the decisive penalty for the hosts.

Aaron Loupalo-Bi put Fleetwood in front in the first half, but Viktor Gyokeres restored parity after the interval. Arsenal’s night deteriorated further when 16-year-old midfielder Max Dowman was sent off for violent conduct in the closing stages.

Arteta made nine changes with Sunday’s Premier League trip to Liverpool in mind, but the decision backfired as Arsenal failed to overcome Fleetwood’s disciplined defensive performance.

“First of all, congratulations to Fleetwood for going through the next round. The manner that they have done it, and for us a very sad day,” Arteta said.

“There is nothing to criticise the players for their attitude, their application.

“The determination, you could see that was there from the start, even with 10 men. But we conceded a really poor goal to start with that gave them some momentum.

“Obviously we have so much of the ball, so many chances, so many shots, and if you want the margins to be bigger than going to the penalties, you need to capitalise on that. And we didn’t.

“It’s football, that’s the beauty of this competition. It’s a very sad day.”

Arsenal had moved level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City after beating Everton 2-0 on Saturday. However, their defeat at Fleetwood ended hopes of extending a run that had brought 11 wins in their previous 13 matches.

Arteta said his players’ application had not been the issue, but accepted Arsenal had to take responsibility for the result.

“Zero problem attitude-wise. Otherwise, I would be here absolutely fuming. I’m sad, I think we are all sad. We have a massive responsibility to carry this badge in the best possible way,” he said.

“You don’t capitalise, then you cannot go through to the next round. Unfortunately, we are out.”

Dowman was dismissed after appearing to aim a kick towards Harrison Neal, although the decision looked harsh. Arteta gave the teenager a stern word as he left the pitch.

“Something that we discussed already before the match,” Arteta said when asked what he had told Dowman. “It’s difficult to see on the cameras like that, so I prefer to watch it back properly and then I can assess the situation.”

Fleetwood, 84 places below Arsenal in the English football system, frustrated the visitors by defending deep and attacking on the counter. Manager Matt Lawlor said his side never expected to dominate the Premier League champions.

“I just can’t believe it. The biggest night in the club’s history in terms of opposition coming to town and we’ve managed to beat the champions,” Lawlor said.

“We had to ride our luck, we had to deny space, we had to deny options for them. And I think we did that really, really well in terms of the majority of the game.”

Lawlor later fought back tears as Fleetwood supporters celebrated on the pitch following the winning penalty.

“I’m just so glad that the lads have the feeling the way they are and took that performance into make that town, the club, everyone proud,” he said.