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Nottingham Forest Knock Holders Arsenal Out Of The FA Cup

Nottingham Forest Knock Holders Arsenal Out Of The FA Cup

A bad, bad day for Arsenal.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Holders Arsenal have been knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Nottingham Forest at the third round stage.

The understrength Gunners side were all over the place at the City Ground and were1-0 down in the 20th minute through Eric Lichaj, who ghosted in to head in a free-kick on the line after a truly shocking set-piece set-up from the visitors.

Arsenal skipper Per Mertesacker, who looked out of sorts in the game, equalised three minutes later but Forest were back in the lead just before half-time when Lichaj bagged his second by scoring the goal of the weekend.

The ball dropped to the former Villa man on the edge of the box, he controlled it superbly on his chest and struck the sweetest of volleys into the top corner, with David Ospina completely routed to the spot.

Teenage striker Ben Brereton, who was a menace for Arsenal's dodgy backline, hit the third from the spot in the 64th minute after Matthew Cash was tripped by Rob Holding.

Danny Welbeck capitalised on a goalkeeping error to reduce the deficit but it became 4-2 when a second penalty was given in the 84th minute, Jon Moss deeming Mathieu Debuchy to have fouled Michael Mancienne.

Kieran Dowell slipped as he converted, and there was questions of a double touch, but the goal was awarded.

It was a very, very bad day at the office for Arsenal, who lost a third round FA Cup tie for the first time in Arsene Wenger's reign.

There was of course reaction galore on social media. Here are some of the best tweets:

A crazy, crazy game and the banter era just continues at Arsenal!

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Nottingham Forest, Arsene Wenger, FA Cup, Arsenal Fan TV, Arsenal

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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