Nottingham Forest stunned Arsenal 4-2 in a breathtaking Emirates FA Cup third round encounter at the City Ground to oust the holders from the competition.

Alex Iwobi started for Arsene Wenger's side in the game while Nigerian striker, Chuba Akpom was named on the bench.

Arsenal had their work cut out early on after gifting Forest the lead inside the opening 20 minutes, Eric Lichaj profiting from a Kieran Dowell's freekick delivery to head in following a shoddy Gunners defence that had left acres of space open.

The visitors wasted little time in pulling back level though, Per Mertesacker prodding home from a rebound three minutes later after Rob Holding had struck the post with a header from a Theo Walcott's setpiece.

But Lichaj had other plans, catching David Ospina by surprise to volley in his second of the game a minute into the break as Arsenal noticeably sat ducks in defence.

The visitors defensive frailties took another hit when 18-year old Ben Brereton slotted in another from the spot to make it 3-1 after Holding had fouled in the area.

Danny Welbeck pulled pulled one back in the 79th minute but Dowell's contentious penalty five minutes from time after Mathieu Debuchy had been penalised for a foul made sure the FA Cup defending champions were made to pay for their largely unconvincing display.

A disappointing Alex Iwobi logged the full ninety of the game while Chuba Akpom came on for the last two minutes.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : nottinghamforest.co.uk