Arsenal Eliminated from FA Cup After Shocking Defeat to Nottingham Forest

FA Cup holders Arsenal suffered a shock defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday as they were dumped out of the tournament in the third round following a thrilling 4-2 defeat at the City Ground.

Arsene Wenger's much-changed side were far from their best and made to pay as two goals from Eric Lichaj and penalties from Ben Brereton and Kieran Dowell gave Forest a memorable and deserved win.

Wenger opted to rotate his team for the game and handed starts to youngsters Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The Times's Henry Winter shared the two lineups:

Wenger, meanwhile, was forced to watch the game from the stands as he served the first of a three-match touchline ban for misconduct.

Goal's Chris Wheatley spotted the Arsenal boss among the fans:

Both teams started brightly, with Theo Walcott scuffing an early chance before Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina was forced to tip Matty Cash's header past the post.

However, Ospina could do nothing about the opener on 20 minutes as an unmarked Lichaj headed home Dowell's free-kick at the far post.

However, Forest's lead lasted just three minutes as Arsenal hit back instantly with Per Mertesacker stabbing home after Rob Holding had headed on Theo Walcott's free-kick.

The hosts continued to threaten and a quick break almost caught out Arsenal again as Brereton beat Mertesacker but not Ospina.

James Olley at the Evening Standard said he was a real threat for the hosts:

Lichaj then grabbed his second of the game with just a minute of normal time remaining in the first half. A cross from Cash was headed to the edge of the box, and the incoming Lichaj controlled on his chest before volleying it into the top corner.

It was a brilliant finish from Lichaj, but Arsenal's defending was less than impressive, per John Cross at the Mirror:

Arsenal pressed after the break but were made to pay for some more poor defending as Holding brought down Cash in the box and conceded the penalty.

Brereton showed no nerves from the spot, sending Ospina the wrong back to make it 3-1 and make the City Ground wild.

ESPN FC's Mattias Karen was critical of Holding and also pointed out how Wenger had not lost in the third round of the competition before:

Arsenal had time to make amends and pulled one back through Danny Welbeck with 12 minutes of normal time remaining.

The striker just managed to latch onto a pass from Alex Iwobi, ahead of goalkeeper Jordan Smith who looked favourite for the ball, before slotting into an empty net.

The game looked set for a nervy finish, but Arsenal then conceded a second penalty after Mathieu Debuchy brought down Bertrand Traore.

This time it was Dowell who stepped up and beat Ospina as he sent his penalty straight down the middle. However, the midfielder slipped as he kicked the ball, and there was a suggestion he touched the ball twice.

Referee Jon Moss consulted with his assistant before giving the goal and was then called into action again immediately, sending off Joe Worrall for a reckless challenge on substitute Chuba Akpom.

It did not matter to Forest, who held on for a fully-deserved win as Wenger was made to pay for heavily rotating his side and a poor defensive performance.

The Arsenal manager may complain about some of the decisions in the second half, but his team did little to deserve victory, and it's an embarrassing result for the Gunners.