Championship side Nottingham Forest knock Arsenal out of the FA Cup with a shocking 1-0 win in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday. Arsenal were considered one of the favourites to lift the FA Cup trophy like they have done many times in their history. But the FA Cup never fails to produce exciting ties and shock exists.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was back in the dugout after missing the 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Premier League due to testing positive for Covid-19. In the first half, chances were hard to come by for both teams. But the gunners dominated possession. However, Nottingham Forest created looked way more likely to score than the star stacked Arsenal squad.
Arsenal struggled to get into the game and create any real opportunity in the second half. While Bernd Leno was called into action and saved a shot from Philip Zinckernagel at the other end. Leno was called into again just minutes later as he saved a free kick from James Garner.
Nottingham Forest made the pressure count and Grabban scored in the 83rd minute to give his side the lead. Arsenal tried their best to grab a late equalizer but Forest always looked in control of the tie. Nottingham Forest now face Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Arsenal player ratings vs Nottingham Forest
Bernd Leno: 6
The German international made a couple of important saves to keep the game level. But failed to keep the clean sheet at the end.
Cedric Soares: 4
A very poor performance by the right-back. His deliveries from deep were horrible and was ineffective in attack.
Ben White: 5
White looked really tidy in possession and made some passes into the midfield. He was also brilliant in carrying the ball into midfield.
Rob Holding: 5
Holding struggled to keep up with the pace of the Forest attack but did win some important aerial duels in both boxes.
Nuno Tavares: 4
The left-back made a really poor start to the game and made some silly mistakes. He was substituted off in the first half.
Albert Sambi Lokonga: 5
The Belgium midfielder kept recycling possession from the base of midfield but did not show any real imagination with his passes.
Charlie Patino: 5
The youngster did well for his first senior start but failed to have any real impact on the proceedings. He was taken off in the second half.
Martin Odegaard: 5
Firstly, the attacking midfielder failed to have any real impact on the proceedings and secondly, he failed to create any real chances for his teammates.
Bukayo Saka: 5
the gunner’s best player on the pitch by a mile. Saka created four chances in the game and looked dangerous every time he got on the ball.
Gabriel Martinelli: 4
Just like most of Arsenal’s attackers had an off day. Failed to trouble the Forest backline with his pace and energy. Also picked up a yellow card in the second half.
Eddie Nketiah: 4
Avery disappointing performance. He had a very good chance to open the scoring from a Saka cross but failed to get his header on target.
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