'This isn't supposed to happen': giant-slaying Fleetwood revels in fairytale Arsenal win

League Two Fleetwood Town knocked Premier League champions Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup on penalties in a stunning upset at home.

Fleetwood Town pulled off one of football's great shocks on Tuesday night, eliminating Arsenal from the Carabao Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw at their 5,300-capacity Highbury stadium. The League Two side, sitting 84 places below Arsenal in the football pyramid, went ahead early in the match before Arsenal equalised, but the score remained level through extra time. Fleetwood won the subsequent penalty shootout to send the Premier League champions and Champions League finalists out of the competition.

The victory has sent shockwaves through the fishing town, with fans and locals still in disbelief the morning after. The club shop has been doing brisk business selling souvenir programmes and half-and-half scarves, while bars and pubs in the town stayed open late into the night to celebrate. Local businesses are hoping the momentum from the win can help boost attendances and economic activity throughout the season.

The two clubs share an unlikely connection: Arsenal played at Highbury stadium until 2006, and Fleetwood's ground shares the same name, being situated on Highbury Avenue. Fleetwood also wear red shirts with white sleeves in the style of Arsenal's classic kit, reportedly given to them by Arsenal when the club was founded.