Arsenal Is Kicked Out For Back To Back Champions League '70s From FA Cup

JAKARTA - Arsenal fell victim to the FA Cup shock after being sacked by Nottingham Forest. The Gunners lost 0-1 at the headquarters of the second tier team in the third round match at The Valley Stadium, Sunday local time.

Quoted from Antara, Monday, substitute striker Lewis Grabban played a supersub role for Forest when he scored the winner just seven minutes before the dispersal of normal time.

After successfully breaking Arsenal's attack, midfielder Ryan Yates crossed a cross that Grabban reached with his foot to outsmart goalkeeper Bernd Leno and put the hosts ahead.

Forest who were Champions League winners in 1979 and 1980 did perform better than their visitors for most of the match where they were disciplined in guarding the defense and creating more chances.

The public even had time to cheer the referee Craig Pawson after seeing Jack Colback looked pushed down by Bukayo Saka in the Arsenal penalty box in the 62nd minute, but the referee did not react.

Before conceding in the last minute, Leno was also busy securing Arsenal's goal with several dangerous chances from Philip Zinckernagel's ball and James Garner's free-kick.

On the other hand, Arsenal's attacks were more broken before entering the home defense and one of the best opportunities was released by Eddie Nketiah in the first half which Steve Cook could still block.

Forest has the potential to continue the surprise story in the FA Cup this season, because they have been waiting for defending champions Leicester City in the fourth round later.

Based on the draw results released on the FA's official website, Forest will again act as host for the fourth round match against Leicester which is scheduled to take place on 4-7 February.

The success of advancing to the fourth round of the FA Cup by eliminating Arsenal is a continuation of a positive trend for Forest which has undergone many changes since being coached by Steve Cooper in September.

In the second tier of the Championship Division, Forest is now in the ninth position in the standings, even though Cooper inherited a team struggling in the red zone from his predecessor, Chris Hughton.