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Emotional scenes as Fleetwood staff and players react to drawing Arsenal in the Carabao Cup

There were emotional scenes as Fleetwood staff and players react to drawing Arsenal in the Carabao Cup Fourth Round draw.

The League Two outfit have booked a place in the last 16 of the competition, Rhys Norrington-Davies left with his head in his hands after scoring an own goal.

Matt Lawlor’s Fleetwood, now unbeaten in nine games in all competitions, also had a goal ruled out for offside, and also chances come back off the woodwork.

Tom Cannon thought he had scored for Sheffield United, only for the offside flag to go up.

Fleetwood boss Matt Lawlor said on drawing Arsenal at home: “Yeah, it’s the ultimate test. It’s an amazing reward for the players, a really amazing reward for the club, obviously as well, the amount of work that’s been put in since the start of pre-season in terms of club-wide, let alone just team.

“So yeah, it’s just something that we’re all looking forward to, like I said to you before. Full steam ahead in terms of Barnet, yeah, but an amazing reward for us all to get the best team in the country.”

Interviewer: “Were all the boys together when the draw was made?”

Matt: “Yeah, think we were together as staff. I was with the Sheffield United staff just then. And I think all the boys were together over in Jim’s Bar. We kind of come up with a slogan last, the other club did about Be More Fleetwood, so they were in the bar after not drinking, definitely.

“But they were in the bar after. We’ve all the Fleetwood fans getting the news, the Arsenal, so yeah, a lot of excitement, but a job to be done Saturday still.”

Interviewer: “It’ll be very cliched it’s the old Highbury against the current Highbury isn’t it?”

Matt: “Yeah is, I can see on a few pendants around me about Highbury Stadium so it’s back to the stomping ground for them in terms of Highbury so yeah obviously something that the clubs can share in terms of that.

“So I think the chairman was really really happy and Jamie was saying it’s a tie that he’s always wanted since a kid, Highbury, Arsenal coming to our Highbury so yeah just something that was really pleasing for the whole club, the whole staff and all the players.”

Interviewer: “And great news for the fans as well, it’s a big occasion for them isn’t it, come and see.”

Matt: “Yeah, I’d love them to be as amazing as they were tonight, I thought they were, they drove us on, they drove us to a great performance tonight and that’s what we’ll need at this place, we do need them.

“Again, I’ve always talked about the fans in terms of chicken and egg isn’t it, do we get them going or do they get us going, it was both tonight. Like, there’s going be times we need you more than we provide and then sometimes we provide and then we need you.

“So yeah, if we could get that, I think we’re always good under the lights at Ivory as well. So the fans were amazing, amazing tonight and I can’t thank them enough for that. So a really good reward to get Arsenal here to be loud and proud for the town.”

On the club making history, he said, as per the club website: “It sounds good, although my voice doesn’t because I’ve been shouting all night.

“I’m massively proud of the performance and the result against an unbelievable team.

“They’re a Championship side with an unbelievable manager, someone I’ve got huge admiration for from afar. I couldn’t be more pleased and proud of our performance.

“I thought we defended unbelievably well, and we had to because of the quality they possess.

“Look at what was coming off their bench and what started. There were unbelievable players starting and coming on, so we had to be focused for the full 95 or 96 minutes.

“I thought we were good with the ball and without it. The crowd were unbelievable, as were the whole feeling and atmosphere.

“I’m big on that feeling, and what I felt before the game was replicated during it because of the group we’ve got.

“We’re a confident bunch at the moment. We have to keep that within games because, in the last two matches, there were five or 10-minute spells when things affected us.

“The character we need to keep doing what we’re doing has to be consistent. I think we’re getting there.”

On Barnet: “I’ve got full respect for Barnet and Dean. I think he’s an entertaining and brilliant manager.

“I love the way his teams play, with their energy and character. Any manager wants their team to represent what they’re about, and I think Dean does that in a massive way.

“They’re full of running and have really good players. Kabongo was brilliant the last time we played against him and threatened in behind.

“They’ve got quality all over the pitch and are a threat from set-pieces and in open play. We’re preparing for a very good team sitting top of our league.”

On making sure there is no complacency: “We’ll never get comfortable and we’ll never get complacent There will always be full focus and concentration on the next opponent.

“We’ll have to use our brains over the next two days to move away from the emotion of tonight and focus back on Saturday.

“Recovery might take priority over training, but we’ve got decisions to make about what that looks like. We’re pleased we have a fit and healthy squad to choose from.”

Fleetwood 1-0 Sheffield United: Chris Wilder says some of his players have lost his trust

Here’s what social media users are saying amid the emotional scenes as Fleetwood staff and players react to drawing Arsenal in the Carabao Cup…

@BenKnapmanEFL: Words can’t describe how proud I am of this club. #ftfc

@NicciG3: What a game! What a night. History made. Well done @ftfc #codarmy

@rich_ccr: You look at some of the comments and you realise people don’t really “get” football

@zWheezus: The Arsenal back at Highbury, what year is it 😍

@Ewanjack_: These videos are always a goldmine for out of touch top 6 “fans” in the replies, morons who have no idea what football really means

@SouthWestAFC:
🎵 Come to see the Arsenal
Congrats Fleetwood – great draw for us both.

@jckjones861: Class, you’ll get rolled over but. Class 👀

@afcevan: Love this. Magic of the cup

@Finley______: To all the Arsenal fans that are making fun of Fleetwood drawing Arsenal at home. You clearly don’t understand what it is like to have such massive exposure come to a small town like ours. Both our club and town will benefit massively financially. #Fleetwood #FTFC #CarabaoCup

@OzGoon3r3000: That’s what the cup is all about. From An Arsenal fan. Enjoy it everyone. Hope the going fans really hate an ecstatic night.

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