In the 3rd Round of the Football Association Cup, Arsenal was defeated 4-2 by English Championship side Nottingham Forest. 

Arsenal and Nottingham Forest last met each other in 2016, in what was then the English Football League Cup. The Gunners prevailed 4–0 in that fixture.

Manager Arsène Wenger watched his hodgepodge side of younger reserves and fringe players crash out of the competition from the stands.

The Frenchman was serving part one of his three-match touchline ban by the English FA for his behavior after Arsenal’s last Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion. 

First Half

Overall, it was a composed start to the match from Arsenal, despite having several younger players in the starting XI. Although, to be fair, there were a few careless back passes and lapses in judgement that exposed the youth of the Gunners’ side.

As for Forest, it was a well-disciplined start by the 14th-placed English Championship side who took their chances as they came and kept a strong defensive shape.

It was the visitors who were presented the first opportunity to go ahead in the 7th minute of the match. Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was in on the Forest goal, but the Englishman scuffed his shot and the ball rolled out of play.

David Ospina, Arsenal’s No. 2, was forced to make his first save of the match in the 17th minute. And, as he has done so many times in the past, the Columbian made a vital fingertip save on Matthew Cash’s off balance shot, from a ball that rolled freely across Arsenal’s penalty area

It would be a long day for the Gunners’ defense.

In the 19th minute, Forest’s Kieran Dowell won a free kick on the edge of the Gunners’ box. Dowell fired in the ensuing free kick that was fearlessly headed in by American international Eric Lichaj in the 20th minute. 1-0 Forest.

By the 23rd minute, the floodgates were open.

18-year-old Reiss Nelson continues to show immense promise and was arguably a lone bright spot for the Gunners’ attack on the day.

Nelson earned a free-kick in the attacking half, in the 23rd minute. His free-kick was nearly headed home by Rob Holding whose effort clanged off the post. In the end, it was the other Arsenal center-half, Per Mertesacker, who finished off the rebound. 1-1.

Forest’s own 18-year-old forward, Ben Brereton, was thwarted twice by Ospina in the 32nd minute.

After pouncing on a deflection and taking his touch past Mertesacker, Brereton let off a shot that was palmed away by the Columbian keeper. A minute later, Brereton split the Arsenal defense again, but Ospina read the play and came out quickly to smother the ball.

Brereton, who was a thorn for the Arsenal defense all day, threatened once more before the end of the first half, but Ospina came up big again to keep the match level at one.

It became increasingly evident toward the end of the first 45 minutes that Forest were having plenty of success exploiting the lack of pace and connectivity in the Arsenal backline.

Lichaj had a dream day and fired (literally) Forest ahead with a minute left in the half. A failed clearance by Arsenal was met with a chest and thunderous volley by the American whose shot nestled in the top corner. 2-1.

Second Half 

Brereton continued to threaten and looked prime to etch his name on the scoresheet in the 61st minute. A great delivery from Forest substitute Tyler Walker was nearly put away by the former Stoke City academy player, but Ospina parried it out for a corner.

Forest found a breakthrough in the 63rd minute after being rewarded a penalty. Holding tripped up Cash who had snuck into the Arsenal box. Brereton finished off the ensuing freebie cooly from the spot. 3-1 Forest.

Danny Welbeck and Arsenal pulled a goal back in the 79th minute. Welbeck took advantage of poor goalkeeping by Forest’s Jordan Smith and slid a slow-moving shot into the bottom left corner. 3-2. Game on.

The home side finished off a fantastic performance and shocking 3rd Round FA Cup upset by converting a controversial penalty in the 85th minute.

It wasn’t the penalty that was controversial, because Arsenal’s Mathieu Debuchy was as guilty as charged, having tackled Forest’s Armand Traore from behind. Instead, it was the kick, a visible double touch by kick-taker Kieran Dowell. Despite taking time to talk to his assistant, referee Jonathan Moss awarded the goal. 4-2. Match over.

It can be argued that VAR technology, which has yet to make its way to the FA Cup and Premier League, would have reversed that goal. Nevertheless, VAR would not and could not have reversed what was a shocking performance by the current FA Cup holders.

Scoresheet 

Arsenal

Mertesacker (23′)

Welbeck (79′)

Forest 

Lichaj (20′ and 44′)

Brereton (64′)

Dowell (85′)

Starting XI 

Arsenal (3–4–2–1) 

Ospina; Mertesacker, Holding, Debuchy; Elneny, Willock, Maitland-Niles, Nelson; Welbeck, Iwobi; Walcott

Forest (4–2–3–1) 

Smith; Mancienne, Worrall, Traore, Lichaj; Dowell, Vaughan; Ben Osborn, Zach Clough, Matthew Cash; Brereton

Next Match

Arsenal return to Premier League play on Sunday, Jan. 14, when the Gunners travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth. Kickoff for that fixture is slated for 8:30AM EST.

Check back soon for the latest Pain in the Arse! Oo O O to Be.

In a thrilling London derby that had it all, Arsenal drew Chelsea 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. 

Arsenal, courtesy of a Hector Bellerín wonder-strike, salvaged a late point against Chelsea. A victory would have seen Chelsea move ten points clear of rival Arsenal in the Premier League table.

First Half

Arsenal, to the delight of the home crowd, committed to putting Chelsea under constant pressure and getting stuck into their tackles early on. Chelsea, on the other hand, appeared more content with laying back, anticipating mistakes from the Gunners and then springing forward.

It was Chelsea’s Spanish forward, Alvaro Morata, who nearly sprung the Blues in front in the 14th minute.

Morata found himself in on goal after splitting the Arsenal center-half pairing of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding. Morata wasted his chance, pulling his shot wide of Petr Čech’s goal.

A collective sigh of relief from the crowd on-hand at the Emirates was followed up by a gasp just minutes later.

Arsenal winger Alexis Sanchez nearly put the Gunners ahead with a snap-shot inside the Chelsea penalty area. But Thibaut Courtois did extremely well to get a hand to the Chilean’s shot and parry it off the post. Somehow, someway, the shot was kept out of the net as it pinged off both posts.

Alexandre Lacazette displayed his superb hold-up play in the 21st minute, and the Frenchman nearly finished off his effort from atop the Blues’ box. After fending off a blue shirt behind him, Lacazette executed a cool turn before letting off a low-lying shot that was denied by Courtois.

It was end to end action in the first half and both sides traded scoring opportunities. Čech was called upon again a minute later. The Arsenal No. 1 stood tall to thwart Tiemoué Bakayoko who was in on goal.

Chelsea had one final opportunity to go ahead in the 45th minute. Ex-Gunner Cesc Fàbregas ran onto a cheeky flick by teammate Eden Hazard. The Spaniard had a shot from atop the Gunners’ box, but it went over the bar and never really troubled Čech.

A frenetic first half ended in a stalemate, 0-0.

Second Half

The second half was everything one would expect and yearn for in a London derby.

Čech was the first goalkeeper to be called upon in the 49th minute. Čech’s brilliant foot save on Hazard was followed up by an inspiring dive and save to keep out Marcos Alonso’s header. The Arsenal shot-stopper kept the score level at nil.

Arsenal saw their first opportunity of the second half, and perhaps their best in the match at that point, come in the 52nd minute. It was another sweet turn from Lacazette. The Frenchman saw his shot from close-range stoned by Courtois who made himself big.

Minutes later, in the 62nd, a nice passing play between Lacazette and Özil was once again thwarted by the Chelsea keeper. After passing and weaving into the Blues’ penalty area, Özil saw his pass across the goalmouth snubbed by the big Belgian.

Arsenal found the go-ahead goal in the 63rd minute, courtesy of none other than Jack Wilshere. Super Jack’s off balance shot thumped off the post and into the top corner of Chelsea’s goal.

Wilshere sent the Emirates into pandemonium and fired the Gunners up one nil.

But, as Arsenal fans have come to expect from their side, things went south for the North London club. Referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty for Chelsea in the 66th minute, after Bellerín nicked the foot of Hazard who went down rather easily.

Hazard made no mistake and finished off the penalty to equalize for the visitors. 1-1.

In the 70th minute, Morata found himself in on goal again. And, again, the Spaniard’s shot was botched. This time, Morata pulled his shot high and wide right. It was a rather shocking performance from Chelsea’s hitman.

It was another brilliant performance from young Ainsley “Boobie” Maitland-Niles. However, the 20-year-old showed in the 84th minute that he is still green, after being beat to the byline by Davide Zappacosta. Zappacosta then whipped in a dangerous ball, which was buried by a storming Alonso. 2-1 Blues.

Seemingly down and out, Arsenal were bailed out by Bellerín in the 90′ +2′ minute. The Spaniard did well to avenge the penalty he conceded earlier in the match, hammering home a fantastic half-volley to the top corner of Chelsea’s goal. 2-2.

Less than a minute later, Čech stood tall to stone Morata. After springing to his feet, the ex-Chelsea No. 1 could only watch as Zappacosta’s follow-up effort clashed off the cross bar.

2-2 was how this emotional rollercoaster and Pain in the Arse! finished.

Putting my own allegiance to the side, Arsenal was, in my opinion, the better team on the day. However, as Arsène Wenger’s side has shown time and time again, it was the one or two mistakes that ultimately cost them.

Nevertheless, this was a thrilling London derby, an instant classic, and a brilliant match played by two sides who were playing for nothing less than three points.

Scoresheet

Arsenal

Jack Wilshere (63′)

Hector Bellerín (90′ +2) 

Chelsea

Eden Hazard (67′)

Marcos Alonso (84′) 

Starting XI

Arsenal (3–4–3) 

Čech; Holding, Mustafi, Chambers; Bellerín, Xhaka, Wilshere, Maitland-Niles; Özil, Lacazette and Sánchez

Chelsea

Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso, Hazard and Morata

Next Match 

Arsenal return to Premier League play on Sunday, Jan. 14 when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth. Kickoff for that fixture is slated for 8:30AM EST.

Check back soon for the latest Pain in the Arse! Oo O O to Be.

Unbeaten in their previous five Premier League matches, Arsenal drew West Bromwich Albion 1–1 at The Hawthorns on Sunday.  

Winless in 18 Premier League matches, West Brom and their newly appointed manager, Alan Pardew (yes, that Alan Pardew), looked to spring their uphill relegation battle that will inevitably be part of the Baggies’ New Year resolution.

Arsenal, on the other hand, entered Sunday’s fixture fifth in the table. Chasing Champions League football and PFD writer Cal Dymowski’s high-flying Reds, the Gunners looked to continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League, which has spanned five matches.

First Half

Contrary to the roaring start against Crystal Palace in Thursday’s London derby, Arsenal were considerably slower out of the gates versus Albion. Perhaps such a start can be attributed to the quick turn-around for the Gunners from Thursday’s thrilling contest.

Alex Iwobi had, perhaps, two of the most prominent scoring opportunities for the visitors through the first 30 minutes of play.

First, an excellent move to create space from Jonny Evans at the top of the Baggies’ box. Iwobi followed that up with a cool turn and cheeky curling effort that nearly nestled in the top corner of Ben Foster’s goal. Then, in the 30th minute, the Nigerian let off a laser that was palmed away by Foster.

Ainsley “Boobie” Maitland-Niles entered the match for Sead Kolasinac in the 37th minute. Kolasinac appeared to come up injured following a collision.

Although Arsenal maintained much of the possession throughout the first half, the Gunners were unable to generate any considerable scoring chances to break the 0–0 deadlock.

Second Half

The second half seemingly picked up where the last 45 minutes left off. Credit to the Baggies’ faithful who were in full voice at the start, despite the fact their side hasn’t won a match since mid–August.

The Baggies appeared to receive a boost from the home crowd as West Brom looked more threatening in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Arsenal were put under increasing pressure in their own end, and the home side had a few set-piece opportunities.

In the 60th minute, Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette nearly capped off an excellent run and passing-play at the top of the Albion box, with a cut into and lash from the center of the Baggies’ penalty area.  But the danger was averted by Foster, in the end, who kept the score level at nil.

Arsenal regained control of possession toward the 70th minute. The Gunners dictated the much of the match’s tempo, mounting patient build-up play at the top of the Baggies’ box.

West Brom’s Jay Rodriguez was given ample space to run at the Arsenal backline in the 77th minute. The former Southhampton man took full advantage of the opportunity and rocketed a shot that was parried away by Čech.

It was the visitors who eventually broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute. Alexis Sánchez, the man who could very well leave the North London outfit soon, capitalized on a free-kick atop the Baggies’ penalty area. The Chilean’s shot took a deflection off of West Brom’s James McClean and into the net.

But, just when one would think Arsenal had the three points in the bag, referee Mike Dean awarded West Brom a controversial penalty for a handball on Calum Chambers. It was ex-Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs, nonetheless, who drew the penalty in the 88th minute. Rodriguez converted calmly from the spot for the equalizer.

The match ended 1–1 for (wait for it) another Pain in the Arse!

Scoresheet  

Arsenal —

Alexis Sanchez (83′)

Albion —

Jay Rodriguez (89′)

Starting XI

Arsenal (3–4–3) 

Čech; Mustafi, Koscielny, Chambers; Xhaka, Wilshere, Kolasinac, Bellerín; Lacazette, Sánchez and Iwobi

Albion (4–4–2)

Foster; Evans, Hegazi, Gibbs, Dawson; Barry, Livermore, Brunt, Phillips; Robson-Kanu and Rodriguez

Next Match

Arsenal played their final fixture of 2017 tonight. The Gunners are set to return on Wednesday, Jan. 3. They’ll welcome North London rivals Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium. Kickoff for that fixture is slated for 2:45PM EST.

Check back soon for the latest Pain in the Arse! Oo O O to Be.