Holders Arsenal suffer shock 4-2 FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest

Defending FA Cup champions Arsenal crashed out of the competition at the first hurdle on Sunday, losing 4-2 to Nottingham Forest.

Eric Lichaj put his side into a surprise lead with a smart header from a free kick on the right wing, as Arsene Wenger's selection of a weakened team backfired.

Per Mertesacker equalised minutes later from a goalmouth scramble, but Lichaj grabbed another with a super volley, his first brace in England football.

In the second half, Forest extended their lead with a Ben Brereton penalty after a poor challenge from Rob Holding on Matty Cash.

A dreadful Jordan Smith error allowed Danny Welbeck to slot into an empty net to pull one back for the Gunners, but Kieran Dowell scored a fortunate second penalty to wrap things up, when he may have double-touched the ball from the spot.

A frantic end to the match saw Joe Worrall sent off for a second yellow.

Ben Brereton shows incredible promise for an 18 year old: Few players his age in the Premier League show such calmness, especially in big games. Brereton was direct and fearless, and showed no little technique in his approach play before converting the second-half penalty.

Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest): His first goals set the tone for Forest. The first was about being alive to the ball before the slack opponents of Arsenal. The second was a display of confidence and of ability. If his teammates repeat this performance they will climb up the league.

Nottingham Forest: Smith 7, Lichaj 8, Mancienne 7, Traore 8, Osborn 7, Cash 7, Clough 7, Brereton 8, Dowell 7, Vaughan 7, Worrall 7. Subs: Mills 6, McKay 6, Walker 6.

Arsenal: Ospina 6, Debuchy 4, Mertesacker 5, Holding 6, Willock 5, Elneny 5, Nelson 5, Maitland-Niles 5, Walcott 5, Iwobi 5, Welbeck 6. Subs: Akpom 6, Nketiah 6.

20' - GOAL! Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal. Lichaj scores - Dowell smashes in a set piece from a tight angle, straight at Ospina, and Lichaj races to the near post to head it in before the 'keeper can reach it.

23' - GOAL! Forest 1-1 Arsenal. Mertesacker scores - From a free kick on the left, Walcott lifts the ball into Holding, it hits the post and Mertesacker stabs it home.

44' - GOAL! Forest 2-1 Arsenal. Lichaj scores - A superb goal. A cross from the right for Forest is headed out, Lichaj chests it down and loops a volley into the far top corner.

64' - PENALTY! Holding stretches out a leg after Cash robs the ball off him in the penalty box, and brings him down.

65' - GOAL! Forest 3-1 Arsenal. Brereton scores - He strolls to the ball on the spot and sends Ospina the wrong way, to the 'keepers' right.

79' - GOAL! Forest 3-2 Arsenal. Welbeck scores - A through ball for Welbeck to chase seems to be no problem for Smith, but he lets the ball slide through his arms, and Welbeck can pass into an empty net.

84' - PENALTY! Debuchy hacks Traore from behind the box as he getss ready to shoot after running from his own half. It might have been fortunate, as Debuchy got the ball after sliding in from behind, but he still brought down his man with both legs.

86' - GOAL! Forest 4-2 Arsenal. Dowell scores - Kieran Dowell slips as he takes the penalty, which fires into the top of the net. The referee goes to check if there was a double touch, and after an age the goal is awarded.

89' - RED CARD! Worrall is off for a second yellow after flying through the back of Akpom.

This is Arsene Wenger's first exit in the third round of the FA Cup