Highbury Stadium away guide: Everything Arsenal fans need to know for Fleetwood EFL Cup clash

Arsenal‘s EFL Cup campaign continues in the fourth round with a trip to Fleetwood Town, with Mikel Arteta's side drawn against the League Two club in a tie scheduled for the week commencing 26 October, although the exact date and kick-off time are yet to be confirmed.

The Gunners reached this stage with a 4-2 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road in the third round, while Fleetwood have already seen off Chesterfield and Shrewsbury Town before producing the biggest shock of their cup run by beating Championship side Sheffield United in the third round.

This will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, and there is an interesting twist to the venue, as the hosts play at a ground called Highbury Stadium.

That means the visitors will return to a stadium with the same name as their former home for the first time since leaving Highbury two decades ago, although there is no connection between the two grounds beyond the name.

Below, Football Ground Guide runs through everything Arsenal fans need to know about the trip.

Where is Highbury Stadium?

Fleetwood's Highbury Stadium is situated just south of the town centre, beside Memorial Park, with the address listed as Park Avenue, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 6TX. The ground takes its name from nearby Highbury Avenue and opened at its present site in 1939.

It is a small ground compared to anything the travelling support will be used to, with a capacity of 5,327. There is also another similarity between the clubs, as Fleetwood's home kit is red and white, giving it a clear resemblance to Arsenal's traditional colours.

Where will Arsenal fans be housed?

Arsenal supporters are expected to be allocated tickets in either the Parkside Stand or Percy Ronson Terrace, with the exact arrangement depending on Fleetwood's allocation for the fixture. Recent visiting clubs have been housed in the Parkside Stand for seating, with the Percy Ronson Terrace used for additional standing tickets when required.

The Percy Ronson is a covered standing terrace behind one of the goals, while the Parkside Stand provides seated accommodation along the side of the pitch.

For a high-demand cup tie, Fleetwood can make both areas available to visiting supporters, although Arsenal's final allocation should be checked once ticket details are announced.

How to get to Highbury Stadium

The walk from the southern edge of Fleetwood town centre, around Lord Street, or from the nearby Freeport outlet takes roughly 10 minutes, so getting to the ground on foot is fairly straightforward for supporters staying in the area.

For those using public transport, the Blackpool tramway runs close to the ground, with Stanley Road the nearest stop and Lindel Road also within a short walk. Trams run north from Blackpool towards Fleetwood approximately every 20 minutes, with the journey from Blackpool taking around 40 minutes.

The nearest railway station is Poulton-le-Fylde, several miles from the ground, although Blackpool North is the more convenient mainline station for supporters travelling to the game. From Blackpool North, fans can continue by tram, bus or taxi, with the number 1 and 14 buses also running from Blackpool town centre towards Fleetwood.

Drivers should leave the M6 at Junction 32 and join the M55 towards Blackpool before exiting at Junction 3 onto the A585 towards Fleetwood. From there, continue towards Fleetwood, take Copse Road and, after passing Fleetwood Fire Station, turn onto Radcliffe Road before taking Stanley Road, where the stadium is at the bottom of the road on the left.

There is no parking available at the stadium, while limited street parking is available around the ground, including on Gordon Road and Addison Road. Supporters should check local restrictions before leaving their cars and allow extra time to find a legal space.

Where to eat and drink near Highbury Stadium

Jim's Bar, located at the ground behind the Memorial Stand, is the obvious place to start for supporters wanting a drink before the game. It welcomes both home and away fans before matches and also serves hot and cold food, with large TVs showing live sport.

On Poulton Road, the Strawberry Gardens is a traditional pub and the club's official away pub, making it a popular option for travelling supporters. It is only a few minutes' walk from Highbury Stadium through the park and serves food alongside a range of cask ales, lagers and other drinks.

The Royal Oak on Lord Street, still known locally by its old nickname “Dead ‘Uns”, is another option for supporters looking to spend some time in Fleetwood before heading to the ground. The pub sits on the main street close to the tram line, making it convenient for those travelling towards Highbury by public transport.

For something to eat close to the stadium, the Highbury Chippy on Highbury Avenue is a convenient option for supporters who want a quick meal without heading into the town centre.

Fans should also be aware that Highbury Stadium is a cashless venue, with the food kiosks in both stands offering a range of hot and cold food and drinks.

Where to stay near Highbury Stadium

Fleetwood itself is a small town with a limited selection of hotels, and options close to the ground are thinner than at many larger away-day destinations, although the Savoy Hotel on The Esplanade is one of the main accommodation options in the town.

For that reason, Blackpool is likely to be a more practical base for many travelling supporters, with a much wider choice of accommodation and regular tram services connecting the seaside resort with Fleetwood and the area around Highbury Stadium.

Staying in Blackpool also gives fans more choice when it comes to restaurants, pubs and other amenities, while those who prefer to remain in Fleetwood can find a smaller selection of accommodation within the town itself.

With the fixture taking place in midweek, supporters planning to stay overnight should still have plenty of reason to book ahead, particularly if they want to be within easy reach of Blackpool's town centre and public transport links.