FA Cup holders Arsenal have been dumped out of the FA Cup at the third round stage by Nottingham Forest.

The Championship side hit four at the City Ground on a sobering day for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners.

Eric Lichaj's first-half double put the hosts ahead at the break, despite Per Mertesacker's strike for Arsenal.

The impressive Ben Brereton made it 3-1 from the spot before Danny Welbeck pounced on a goalkeeping howler to pull one back for the Gunners.

But a controversial penalty was converted by Kieran Dowell to seal progression for Forest, despite replays suggesting the ball may have struck both feet.

Joe Worrall saw red for the hosts late on for a second booking, but they held on for a famous win.

Here are five talking points...

Eric Lichaj headed Forest in front (
Image:
AFP)

1. Arsenal played with fire - and got burned

Arsene Wenger made nine changes for the FA Cup, putting all his eggs in the Carabao Cup as he plans to field a strong line-up in Wednesday’s semi final at Chelsea.

But Wenger should know by now the FA Cup has been his salvation during rough times at Arsenal and his line-up lacked experience, quality and, most of all, fight.

The way they surrendered was pathetic as some of the older heads really lacked courage. But that’s what happens when you send a negative message by resting players.

Lichaj wheels away after opening the scoring (
Image:
Shaun Botterill)
Lichaj is congratulated by his teammates (
Image:
Getty)

2. Arsene Wenger suffers in the directors’ box

Wenger sat and suffered in the directors’ box while Steve Bould, his tracksuit and blue hat, was in charge on the touchline.

Make no mistake, Wenger’s absence had a real impact as the Championship side dumped them out.

Banned Arsene Wenger was forced to watch from the stands (
Image:
REUTERS)

3. Forest love to remind us of the past - how about the future?

The Forest fans were chanting: “Champions of Europe - you’ll never sing that.”

Then there is the badge on the touchline with the two stars underneath to underline they have won two European Cups.

This place is steeped him history and memories. But they are without a permanent manager since sacking Mark Warburton and sadly they seem like a club living in the past.

This is not a club in crisis, they absolutely battered Arsenal at times, have a wealthy owner wanting to make a difference and some decent young players (Ben Brereton was outstanding). Get the next manager right and they can at least get back into the top flight.

Per Mertesacker celebrates after hauling Arsenal level (
Image:
Laurence Griffiths)

4. Away allocation in the cup shows the way forward

One of the many reasons the FA Cup is so great (in my humble opinion) is the atmospheres in the stadiums. Why? Because the away ticket allocation is bigger under cup rules.

While you get a little paltry corner in the Premier League, teams get the whole away end in the FA Cup.

Arsenal fans were out in force at the City Ground, Everton fans made a racket at Liverpool on Friday night, Leicester had a day out at Fleetwood.

It turns up the volume, makes it better and the Premier League should have a look…

Lichaj celebrates his stunning second (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

5. What’s Danny Welbeck done?

Arsenal fielded a mix and match team with some youngsters, fringe players and, er, Danny Welbeck.

I really like Welbeck, he’s got pace, power and looks a threat when he leads Arsenal’s forward line.

But for whatever reason, Arsene Wenger seems to have relegated him to his Europa League/FA Cup/League Cup team.

Welbeck must be wondering because this is the striker who started last season’s FA Cup final and now he’s a bit part player. Hard to understand.

David Ospina looks down in the dumps (
Image:
Laurence Griffiths)
Ben Brereton scores the third from the spot (
Image:
Laurence Griffiths)
Brereton celebrates with his teammates (
Image:
Laurence Griffiths)

Player ratings

Nottingham Forest: Smith 7; Lichaj 8, Worrall 7, Mancienne 7, Traore 7; Cash 7 (McKay, 87), Vaughan 7, Dowell 7 (Mills 90), Osborn 7; Clough 6 (Walker, 56, 6), Brereton 9

Arsenal: Ospina 6; Debuchy 5 (Akpom 87), Mertesacker 4, Holding 5, Maitland-Niles 5; Willock 4 (Nketiah, 65, 5), Elneny 5; Nelson 5, Walcott 5, Iwobi; 4 Welbeck 5

Kieran Dowell's penalty made the game safe (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)
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