Nottingham Forest sent shock waves through North London with a convincing 4-2 FA Cup Third Round win on Sunday. Arsene Wenger watched from the touchline as the Gunners were run rampant by manager-less Forest who sacked Mark Warburton on the 31st of December.

The hosts took an early lead when Eric Lichaj headed in from close range just after 20 minutes but was soon cancelled out by Per Mertesacker’s tap-in after 23 minutes after Rob Holding’s header struck the post. Lichaj then restored Forest’s lead with a spectacular dipping volley just before half-time.

Forest further extended their dominance over the visitors when Ben Brereton tucked home from the penalty spot sending Arsenal Keeper David Ospina the wrong way for Forest’s third.

Danny Welbeck pulled one back for the Gunners in the 79th minute to bring the deficit down to 1 goal.

However, Welbeck’s efforts were wasted when Forest were then awarded another penalty in the 85th minute after Rob Holding brought down Matty Cash in the box.

All in all, it was a terrible night for the Gunners with Arsene Wenger’s gamble of playing a weakened side backfiring which resulted in Arsenal being knocked out of the FA Cup third round for the first time in Wenger’s Arsenal career.

Arsenal will be hoping to put this unexpected defeat behind them and improve their performance when they face Chelsea in the EFL Cup Semi-Final on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Nottingham Forest’s play Aston Villa in the Championship on Saturday with Forest hoping that there inspired performance against Arsenal will carry over and help them to grab all 3 points against Steve Bruce’s side.