Not knowing the rules or practicing penalties: How Fleetwood knocked out Arsenal in Carabao Cup's greatest shock

League Two Fleetwood knocked out Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties in the Carabao Cup after a 1-1 draw, with manager Matt Lawlor admitting they hadn't even practised penalties.

Fleetwood Town pulled off one of the greatest shocks in Carabao Cup history, eliminating Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Highbury.

Aaron Loupalo-Bi gave Fleetwood an early lead after 21 minutes, targeting Arsenal's teenage centre-back Marli Salmon. Viktor Gyokeres equalised for Arsenal, but despite the champions introducing Martin Odegaard and other attacking reinforcements, Fleetwood's defence held firm. Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when Max Dowman was sent off for kicking out at Harrison Neal.

In the penalty shootout, Fleetwood converted all five of their spot-kicks with remarkable composure, including 19-year-old centre-back Conor Haughey's final penalty. Manager Matt Lawlor revealed afterwards that his team had never practised penalties and he hadn't even been certain of the rules—he'd thought extra-time was still in use before an assistant corrected him. The victory sends the League Two side, 84 places below Arsenal in the league pyramid, through to the quarter-finals.