Lawlor calls win over Arsenal as greatest night in Town's history

Fleetwood Town manager Matt Lawlor hailed the club's historic Carabao Cup win over Arsenal as the biggest night in the club's history, after the League Two outfit knocked out the reigning Premier League champions at Highbury on penalties.

Cod Army boss Matt Lawlor described Fleetwood Town’s historic Carabao Cup win over Arsenal has the biggest night in the club’s history.

Fleetwood Town goalkeeper Jay Lynch celebrates his heroic penalty save | Getty Images

placeholder image — Fleetwood Town goalkeeper Jay Lynch celebrates his heroic penalty save | Getty Images

The Poulton-le-Fylde-born manager inspired a huge upset as the League Two outfit knocked out the reigning Premier League champions at Highbury on penalties after the tie had ended 1-1.

Lawlor, who was captaining Northern Premier League outfit Bamber Bridge a little over five years ago, saw Town take the lead in the first half through Aaron Loupalo-Bi’s smart finish.

Matt Lawlor, right, celebrates at the end of the match | Getty Images

Arsenal restored parity after the break when Viktor Gyokeres turned the ball home five minutes into the second half.

It looked like Mikel Arteta’s men would go to claim their place in the quarter-finals but the hosts held on to take the match to penalties.

Jay Lynch stopped Bruno Guimaraes' spot kick before Conor Haughey sparked scenes of ecstasy at Highbury Stadium by converting the winning penalty as Town secured a famous 5-3 shootout win.

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He told Sky Sports: “I just can't believe it. The biggest night in the club's history in terms of opposition coming to town and we've managed to beat the champions.

"We knew before the game, we're not stupid enough and not egotistical enough that you think we're going to go to the best team in the country and the most organised team in the country and the best of the basics and the world-class players, in that we're going to go and outplay them.

“So we had to ride our luck, we had to deny space, we had to deny options for them. And I think we did that really, really well in terms of the majority of the game.

“Obviously, the goal happens, but they're going to happen; they're so good at football. The footballers that they have, the gaps that they find and we see it every week in the Premier League.

"I'm a big football fan and I watch the National League all the way through to the Premier League, Championship. So for me it was a tough game to prepare for, but I'm just so glad that the lads have the feeling the way they are and took that performance into make that town, the club, everyone proud."