Arsenal suffer embarrassing defeat against English fourth-tier side

Arsenal have crashed out of the EFL Cup fourth round in embarrassing fashion. The reigning league champions drew 1-1 with fourth-tier Fleetwood Town before losing 5-3 on penalties.

A much-changed Arsenal side fell behind after 21 minutes when Aaron Loupalo-Bi finished impeccably at the end of a fine Fleetwood Town attack. The visitors had 75 per cent possession at one point but could not level before half-time.

Jurriën Timber went close with a header before being substituted at half-time. Arsenal dominated after the break, as expected, and Viktor Gyökeres equalised with a somewhat fortunate goal after 50 minutes. A few minutes later, a Fleetwood defender cleared Kai Havertz's shot off the line.

Off the bench, Martin Ødegaard dictated play for Arsenal and set up Havertz, who shot just wide. Arsenal suffered a setback in the closing stages when Max Dowman was sent off for kicking a player who had tackled him.

Down to ten men, Arsenal kept fighting and came close to winning in normal time. Goalkeeper Jay Lynch denied Ben White, however, and Havertz headed wide. The game went to extra time at Highbury Stadium.

Fleetwood Town's players held their nerve in the penalty shootout, while Arsenal faltered. Bruno Guimarães was the only player to miss from the spot, bringing Mikel Arteta's side's EFL Cup campaign to an early end.