Travelling to the Emirates Stadium for a Carabao Cup clash with Arsenal tonight, however severe the changes to Unai Emery's side, Blackpool knew they were in for a tough night. Up step Irish defender Paudie O'Connor.
2-0 down with just 50 minutes played, League One's Blackpool may well have concluded that their race in this competition was run.
However, when Matteo Guendouzi received a second yellow-card and Arsenal dropped down to 10-men, the team who once entertained the Premier League with their cavalier attacking football rallied.
Earning a corner from a deflected cross, Paudie O'Connor, a Limerick-born defender on loan from Leeds United, drilled home a header with some aplomb.
On a night of some pretty exciting Carabao Cup action, the Irishman's contribution did not go unnoticed.
📷 The moment Paudie O'Connor pulled one back for Blackpool. Just over 10 minutes remaining... (2-1) pic.twitter.com/kHCv32CcSB
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) October 31, 2018
In fairness, Arsenal were given a warning by Paudie O'Connor when he hit the post. Tidy header and the broadest smile in London.
— Tom Clancy (@tclansee) October 31, 2018
Paudie O’Connor go on lad
— Armo☀️🌙 #GrazieVale (@Jordan_Armo) October 31, 2018
Formerly of Limerick FC in the League of Ireland, the 21-year-old made his move to Leeds United in 2017.
Playing a handful of games for the club, Paudie O'Connor is spending this season out on loan with the League One club.
In the end tonight, O'Connor's goal would prove little more than a consolation; Arsenal seeing the game out 2-1 with their 10-men.
