*Nottingham Forest 4 Arsenal 2: Wenger suffers first third-round
exit
Arsene Wenger lost an FA Cup
third-round tie for the first time as holders Arsenal were stunned 4-2 by
Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Wenger has lifted the famous trophy
on seven occasions – including three of the last four years – but saw his
much-changed side undone by two Eric Lichaj goals along with penalties from Ben
Brereton and Kieran Dowell in a classic cup tie at the City Ground.
The likes of Alexis Sanchez,
Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette were all rested as Theo Walcott and Danny
Welbeck were afforded rare starts in an unfamiliar Arsenal XI.
But Wenger's plan backfired
against a Forest side who are still without a permanent manager following the
sacking of Mark Warburton last month.
Lichaj's headed opener was
swiftly cancelled out by Per Mertesacker but the American restored the hosts'
advantage with a stunning volley just before half-time.
Forest had a cushion when
18-year-old Brereton showed composure beyond his years to beat David Ospina
from the spot following a Rob Holding foul on Matty Cash, but a late Welbeck
strike threatened to make it a tense last 10 minutes for the home side.
However, Gary Brazil's men were
awarded a second penalty when Mathieu Debuchy brought down Armand Traore from
behind, allowing Dowell to convert from the spot, and Joe Worrall's red card
mattered little as Forest held on for a famous win.
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