League Two Fleetwood host Arsenal in Carabao Cup

WHAT HAPPENED
League Two side Fleetwood Town have drawn Premier League champions Arsenal in the Carabao Cup fourth round after advancing from the third round for the first time in the club’s history. Fleetwood’s progression came via a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United that was decided by an own goal from Rhys Norrington-Davies.

Arsenal secured their place in the last 16 with a 4-2 win over Ipswich Town. The fourth-round ties are scheduled for the week commencing 26 October and include several high-profile Premier League matchups alongside a couple of lower-league pairings.

KEY CONTEXT
Fleetwood’s meeting with Mikel Arteta’s side represents a significant step up in opposition for the League Two club, coming after their maiden appearance in this stage of the competition. The holders, Manchester City, are set to play Brighton at the Etihad if City overcome Norwich in the remaining third-round tie on Thursday. Chelsea, under manager Xabi Alonso, will travel to face his former club Liverpool following the latest draw.

Two League One clubs — Bradford and Peterborough — remain involved and will play each other for a quarter-final berth after respective third-round wins over Leyton Orient and Barnsley. The remaining fourth-round fixtures are all between top-flight teams: Fulham v Crystal Palace, Bournemouth v Aston Villa, Brentford at Sunderland, and Everton v Newcastle United.

WHY IT MATTERS
For Fleetwood, hosting Arsenal is both a rare opportunity and a potential financial and sporting windfall: meeting the reigning Premier League champions is a major draw for players, fans and the club profile. The presence of lower-league clubs at this stage underlines the Carabao Cup’s role in producing David-and-Goliath ties that can reshape a club’s season and momentum.

For the big clubs, the fourth round will test squad depth in a busy calendar and presents high-stakes domestic cup ties. Chelsea versus Liverpool carries added narrative given Xabi Alonso’s recent move to Stamford Bridge and his match-up with his former employers. Manchester City’s opponent hinges on the outcome of the remaining third-round fixture against Norwich, leaving that tie particularly consequential for Etihad scheduling.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Fleetwood v Arsenal will be the headline fixture: monitor squad selections and whether Arsenal use a full-strength lineup against lower-league opposition.
- The Norwich v Manchester City result will determine whether the holders host Brighton at the Etihad in round four.
- Bradford v Peterborough will decide which League One side advances to face top-tier opposition in the quarter-finals.
- Keep an eye on Chelsea v Liverpool once the fourth-round dates are confirmed during the week commencing 26 October.

KEY FACTS
- Fleetwood reached the Carabao Cup fourth round for the first time after a 1-0 win over Sheffield United decided by an own goal from Rhys Norrington-Davies.
- Arsenal beat Ipswich Town 4-2 to reach the last 16.
- Fourth-round ties are scheduled for the week commencing 26 October.
- Manchester City would host Brighton at the Etihad if they defeat Norwich in the remaining third-round tie.
- Bradford and Peterborough, both League One sides, will meet for a quarter-final place after wins over Leyton Orient and Barnsley.