Fleetwood’s manager, Matt Lawlor, hailed the club’s victory as one for all football after his side shocked the Premier League champions, Arsenal, on penalties in the Carabao Cup. The side 18th in League Two held their nerve in the shootout, Conor Haughey hitting the winner to reach the quarter-finals.

The goalkeeper, Jay Lynch, was Fleetwood’s other hero, saving from Bruno Guimarães to set up the chance for victory. Aaron Loupalo‑Bi and Viktor Gyökeres ensured it finished 1-1 in normal time, but Arsenal ended up a man light after Max Dowman was shown a red card for reacting to a challenge.

Andy Cannon and Max Dowman scuffle after the latter’s retaliation to a challenge, before the Arsenal youngster was sent off. Photograph: James Harrison/Focus Images Ltd/Shutterstock

Asked if Fleetwood’s win was the story of the season, Lawlor said: “Yeah, I hope so. Football’s getting a little bit more, I don’t know, clinical and sanitised. And that to me there was that feeling that we all get as football fans.…