Fleetwood to host Arsenal in Carabao Cup fourth round after historic win

League Two Fleetwood Town will host Premier League champions Arsenal in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, after Fleetwood reached this stage for the first time in their history with a 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday night. Arsenal advanced to the fourth round with a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town on Tuesday.

The fourth-round draw produced a mix of ties involving lower-league opposition and top-flight clubs. Holders Manchester City are set to face Brighton at the Etihad Stadium if they overcome Norwich in their remaining third-round fixture on Thursday. Chelsea and Liverpool were drawn together, with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso set to visit his former club. League One sides Bradford and Peterborough will contest a place in the quarter-finals after wins over Leyton Orient and Barnsley respectively.

Fleetwood’s progression was decided by an own goal from Sheffield United full-back Rhys Norrington-Davies that settled their third-round tie 1-0. That victory marked the first time Fleetwood have reached the Carabao Cup fourth round in their history.

Arsenal’s passage to the last 16 came via a 4-2 win over Ipswich Town, a result that sets up the Lancashire side with Mikel Arteta’s team in the next stage. The draw pairs the minnows of Fleetwood against the reigning Premier League champions.

Holders Manchester City will only face Brighton at the Etihad Stadium if they beat Norwich in Thursday’s remaining third-round match, leaving that fourth-round fixture conditional on the outcome of that tie. The draw therefore includes one match still dependent on the result of a pending fixture.

Chelsea and Liverpool will meet in the fourth round, creating a matchup between Premier League rivals that also has the narrative of Chelsea’s manager Xabi Alonso returning to face his former club. The scheduling and venue follow from the draw pairing.

Other fourth-round Premier League ties see Fulham hosting Crystal Palace, Bournemouth at home to Aston Villa, Brentford travelling to Sunderland, and Everton welcoming Newcastle United.

The fourth round of the Carabao Cup is scheduled for the week commencing 26 October.