Fleetwood Town pulled off a huge Carabao Cup upset on Tuesday night, knocking Arsenal out on penalties to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
The League Two side took a surprise lead through Aaron Loupalo-Bi before Viktor Gyokeres equalised shortly after the break. Max Dowman was sent off late on, with the game eventually going to penalties.
Fleetwood held their nerve in the shootout, winning 5-3 to knock out Arsenal. With 84 league places separating the sides, it was an unbelievable result for a Fleetwood team sitting 18th in League Two.
Fleetwood's win is even more impressive considering their poor start to the season. Matt Lawlor's side have won just three of their opening 13 league matches, losing six of their last nine games. However, despite their struggles in League Two, they managed to knock out the Premier League champions.
Fleetwood started their Carabao Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Chesterfield before beating Shrewsbury Town 4-0 in the second round. They then secured an impressive 1-0 win against Championship side Sheffield United, with a Rhys Norrington-Davies own goal sending them through to face Arsenal.
Having already knocked out two sides from higher divisions, Fleetwood will now face either Everton or Newcastle United in the quarter-finals.
CAN BRADFORD CITY PRODUCE ANOTHER CUP UPSET?
Bradford City are another lower-league side still involved in this season's Carabao Cup, having reached the quarter-finals for the first time since their memorable run to the final in 2013.
The Bantams were playing in League Two that season but managed to knock out Premier League sides Wigan Athletic, Arsenal and Aston Villa on their way to Wembley. However, their cup run eventually came to an end with a 5-0 defeat against Swansea City in the final.
Bradford will now face Manchester City in the quarter-finals. Stephen Humphrys has been one of Bradford's standout players in the competition, scoring and providing an assist in their 3-1 win over Leyton Orient. However, the forward is currently sidelined with a back injury, having missed their recent win against Peterborough.
Goalkeeper Jon McCracken has also played an important role in Bradford's cup run, making several saves against Peterborough to help the Bantams reach the quarter-finals.
FOUR OF THE BIGGEST UPSETS IN LEAGUE CUP HISTORY
GRIMSBY TOWN 2-2 MANCHESTER UNITED (12-11 ON PENALTIES) – 2025
Grimsby Town managed to overcome Manchester United in the Carabao Cup last season, winning 12-11 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Blundell Park. The League Two side went 2-0 ahead in the first half, with Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren both scoring. United goalkeeper Andre Onana was at fault for both goals, leaving Ruben Amorim's side with plenty of work to do.
Bryan Mbeumo pulled a goal back in the 75th minute before Harry Maguire equalised late on. United had recovered from two goals down, but they were unable to complete the comeback.
The penalty shootout went to sudden death, with Matheus Cunha missing the chance to win it for United. Mbeumo then hit the crossbar with the score at 12-11, sending Grimsby through to the third round.
MK DONS 4-0 MANCHESTER UNITED – 2014
Manchester United were also involved in another major League Cup upset in August 2014, losing 4-0 away to League One MK Dons. Louis van Gaal had only recently taken charge of United, who had failed to win either of their opening two Premier League matches. Despite making several changes to his starting eleven, United were still expected to progress against opposition two divisions below them.
Will Grigg opened the scoring in the first half after a mistake from Jonny Evans before adding a second shortly after the break. Benik Afobe then came off the bench to score twice, completing a 4-0 win for Karl Robinson's side. It was a poor performance from United, who struggled to create chances despite having several experienced players in their starting eleven.
COLCHESTER UNITED 0-0 TOTTENHAM (4-3 ON PENALTIES) – 2019
Just four months after reaching the Champions League final, Tottenham suffered a shock Carabao Cup exit against League Two Colchester United. Colchester kept Tottenham quiet throughout the game, despite Mauricio Pochettino bringing on Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela in the second half.
Neither side managed to score in 90 minutes, meaning the match went straight to penalties. Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken saved Eriksen's penalty before Lucas Moura hit the crossbar. Tom Lapslie then scored the winning spot-kick, sending Colchester into the fourth round for the first time in 44 years.
LIVERPOOL 2-2 NORTHAMPTON TOWN (2-4 ON PENALTIES) – 2010
Northampton Town caused one of the biggest League Cup shocks in September 2010, knocking Liverpool out at Anfield. Roy Hodgson's side took the lead through Milan Jovanovic, but Northampton equalised in the second half when Billy McKay found the net.
Michael Jacobs then put the League Two side ahead in extra time before David Ngog scored late on to bring Liverpool level. The game went to penalties, where Northampton won 4-2 after Ngog and Nathan Eccleston both missed for Liverpool. Northampton were sitting 17th in League Two at the time, winning just one of their opening eight league matches.
WHERE DOES FLEETWOOD'S WIN RANK AMONG THE BIGGEST LEAGUE CUP UPSETS?
There have been some huge upsets in the League Cup over the years, but I think Fleetwood's win over Arsenal is right up there with the biggest. Arsenal won the Premier League last season and also reached the Champions League final. Mikel Arteta's side have one of the best defensive records in Europe, conceding just 27 goals in 38 Premier League matches last season, while keeping 19 clean sheets.
The Gunners also conceded just six goals in 14 Champions League matches on their way to the final, showing how difficult they are to score against. Arsenal made several changes to their starting eleven, but they still had more than enough quality to beat a side struggling near the bottom of League Two. There have been some memorable cup shocks over the years, but I think this one is difficult to beat.
CARABAO CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW AND LATEST ODDS
The Carabao Cup quarter-final draw has produced some interesting ties, with Manchester City the overwhelming favourites to beat Bradford City. Pep Guardiola's side are priced at 1/20 with BetMGM, while Bradford are available at 18/1 to cause another upset.
Liverpool are also strong favourites to beat Bournemouth, priced at 1/2, while the visitors are available at 17/4. Crystal Palace are 4/5 to beat Sunderland, who are priced at 13/5.
Fleetwood Town's quarter-final odds are yet to be confirmed, as they will face either Everton or Newcastle United. The two Premier League sides meet tonight.
