Nottingham Forest have kicked Arsenal out of the 2021/2022 FA Cup third round for the second time in four years.
Gatekeepers News reports that substitute Lewis Grabban’s late strike has sent Nottingham Forest to the fourth round of the 2022 FA Cup to kick Arsenal out of the tournament.
Grabban slid home Brennan Johnson’s inviting cross from six yards out to knock out the 14-time FA Cup winners at seven minutes to the final.
Although Mikel Arteta made numerous changes as Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and in-form Gabriel Martinelli all played, their Championship side who defeated the Gunners 4-2 at the same stage in 2018 sent out of the FA Cup race 3 years after.
Forest can now look forward to an East Midlands derby as they meet with a Premier League side, Leicester City, in the fourth round.
The Gunners who have not lost a home tie in six years were physical from the start.
Keinan Davis who made his debut after completing a loan move from Aston Villa caused problems for Arsenal’s defence during a first half in which the Gunners failed to assert themselves.
Arteta became more concerned about Forest’s efficient attack as Nuno Tavares was hauled off after just 34 minutes.
Kieran Tierney who replaced Tavares endured a sloppy half during which a wild back pass almost caught Goalkeeper Leno out. His frustrations were quite obvious as he threw his gloves to the ground without even glancing at Arteta.
The Gunner’s were apparently under Forest’s control, as the host club showed glimpses of troubling the Arteta’s side with their pace.
Arsenal had plenty of the ball but Forest was never concerned during an instantly forgettable first half – which would have suited the hosts, who restarted quickly after the break.
A few minutes to the final whistle, Lokonga lost the ball in the midfield, and Yates was slipped in down the right to provide the perfect cross for Grabban to slide in and win it from six yards.
