Fleetwood Town v Arsenal: EFL Cup preview, predicted line-ups and team news
Fleetwood have not conceded in three EFL Cup games this season. Arsenal are 1/10 to end that run at Highbury Stadium in the last 16.
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Fleetwood Town v Arsenal: a last-16 test for the unbeaten hosts
Fleetwood Town have not conceded a goal in this season's EFL Cup, and on Tuesday night they face the side that scored four away from home in the previous round.
The League Two hosts welcome Arsenal to Highbury Stadium in the Round of 16 with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. It is a single tie, so there is no second leg to fall back on. Fleetwood have won all three of their cup games at home. Arsenal have played one, and won it.
The bookmakers see only one outcome. bet365 have Arsenal at 1/10 to win in 90 minutes and Fleetwood at 20/1.
Fleetwood Town
ArsenalHow they got here
Fleetwood have scored six and conceded none in three home wins. They beat Chesterfield 1-0 on 8 August, thrashed Shrewsbury 4-0 on 25 August and edged Sheffield United 1-0 on 16 September.
Arsenal's only game so far was a 4-2 win away at Ipswich on 15 September. They scored twice in the second half and led comfortably, but conceded in the 61-75 minute window and again after the 90th minute. Their pre-match numbers from that tie show 58% possession and six shots on target.
Rotation context
Arsenal's cup selection is the main unknown. They fielded a 4-2-3-1 at Ipswich, and a side with a deep squad can change several players and still start as overwhelming favourites.
Fleetwood are likely to keep to the shape that has served them well. They have used a back three in each of their games, mostly in a 3-1-4-2. Their average possession in the competition is 36%, so expect a low block and a plan built around set pieces and the counter. They have conceded an average of seven corners per game, so Arsenal will have plenty of set-piece chances.
Line-ups
Fleetwood Town3-1-4-2- 1GJ. Lynch
- 26DS. Rooney
- 16DConor Haughey
- 5DF. Potter
- 4MH. Neal
- 6MR. Bennett
- 27MC. McLean
- 10MM. Helm
- 24MJake Thomas Batty
- 17FC. Evans
- 20FA. Loupalo-Bi
Arsenal4-2-3-1- 30GI. Meslier
- 12DJ. Timber
- 3DCristhian Mosquera
- 89DM. Salmon
- 5DP. Hincapié
- 36MMartín Zubimendi
- 49MM. Lewis-Skelly
- 53MC. O’Neill
- 56MM. Dowman
- 29MK. Havertz
- 14FV. Gyökeres
Where to watch Fleetwood Town v Arsenal: TV and online streams
The game kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday 27 October 2026 (the clocks went back on Sunday). It is a single-leg tie and is shown on Sky Sports where selected, with a stream on Sky Sports+. No other UK broadcaster has been confirmed for this fixture.
If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the tie goes to extra time and then penalties.
Stats for Fleetwood Town v Arsenal
- Fleetwood have won all three EFL Cup games this season, scoring six and conceding none, with three clean sheets.
- Fleetwood's biggest win this season is 4-0 against Shrewsbury on 25 August.
- Arsenal won 4-2 at Ipswich on 15 September, scoring in the 0-15, 16-30 and 46-60 minute bands.
- Fleetwood's average possession is 36% over their three cup games. They have faced an average of seven corners per game.
Match Result: Arsenal to win
Fleetwood have a perfect cup record, but Arsenal scored four in their only tie and are priced at 1/10. A low block can frustrate them for a spell, but the quality gap should show in the second half. Arsenal win in 90 minutes.