Four years ago, a defeat at the City Ground ended Arsène Wenger’s unblemished record in the FA Cup third round; now Nottingham Forest have dealt Mikel Arteta an identical similar fate. They thoroughly deserved this victory against opponents who did not manage a single shot on target all evening and whose sparkling recent form was far removed from an insipid offering. The substitute Lewis Grabban scored the winner from close range seven minutes from time and, on this showing, a pacy and intelligent Forest side should be placed significantly higher than ninth in the second tier.
Arsenal’s players cut striking figures in a one-off, whited-out kit designed to highlight their “No More Red” anti-knife crime initiative. It was a crisp look but they struggled throughout for precision against opponents who, in lining up strongly, clearly felt this tie could do their play-off hopes little harm. Steve Cooper’s team were brisk, snappy and urged on by a crowd that fancied the occasion, roaring their approval in the 10th minute when their debutant loanee from Aston Villa, Keinan Davis, squared up to Rob Holding in front of the technical areas.
