Holders Arsenal Knocked out of FA Cup by Nottingham Forest
Arsene Wenger was condemned to his first FA Cup thirdround exit as manager-less Championship side Nottingham Forest stunned holders Arsenal at the City Ground.
The hosts took the lead when Eric Lichaj headed in from close range, although the advantage lasted just three minutes as Per Mertesacker followed up after Rob Holding’s header had struck the post.
Lichaj reclaimed the lead for a Forest side led by caretaker boss Gary Brazil, the American defender scoring a spectacular dipping volley from the edge of the area a minute before half-time.
Forest pulled further clear in the second half when Ben Brereton sent David Ospina the wrong way from the penalty spot after Holding upended Matty Cash.
Danny Welbeck reduced the deficit for Wenger’s much-changed side after Forest goalkeeper Jordan Smith failed to hold a through-ball.
But Arsenal’s first FA Cup third-round defeat since January 1996 - in a replay against Sheffield United - was confirmed courtesy of Kieran Dowell’s 85th-minute penalty, before Forest’s Joe Worrall was shown a straight red card in the closing stages for a late tackle.
Wenger has not held back in his criticism of referees in recent weeks, so much so the Frenchman was forced to watch this tie from the stands as he served the first of a three-match touchline ban handed down by the Football Association.
The Gunners boss may feel he has another grievance to air at the end of this match, after referee Jon Moss elected to allow Forest’s second penalty kick despite Arsenal players arguing that Dowell touched the ball twice after slipping on his run-up.
It is unclear if Arsenal deserved to have their appeals upheld, with repeated replays proving inconclusive.
Wenger sent out a side showing nine changes from Wednesday’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Chelsea, the manager clearly with one eye on next week’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against the Blues.
The 68-year-old has fielded weakened sides in cup competitions countless times down the years, but on this occasion he appeared to underestimate his mid-table Championship opponents, who showed great desire en route to a famous upset.
For their part, Arsenal’s youthful side produced a disjointed display, with the experience provided by Mertesacker and Welbeck not enough as the visitors saw their hopes of winning this trophy for the fourth time in five years comprehensively ended at the first hurdle.
Last week’s 1-0 home defeat to struggling Sunderland was the trigger for Forest to sack manager Mark Warburton with the side 14th in the table and having won one of their past seven league games.
Academy manager Brazil oversaw Monday’s goalless draw with play-off hopefuls Leeds United and that turnaround in form continued from the first whistle against Arsenal.