---
title: "Arsenal Player Ratings: Nottingham Forest (A)"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2018/01/07/arsenal-player-ratings-nottingham-forest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Features"
published: "2018-01-07T22:29:12Z"
modified: "2018-01-07T22:29:12Z"
---

# Arsenal Player Ratings: Nottingham Forest (A)

Arsenal endured an embarrassing defeat against Nottingham Forest as they crashed out of the FA Cup in the third round.

The Gunners were aiming to retain their title as the FA Cup holders in this year’s competition but were dealt a crushing blow by Championship outfit Forest.

Arsene Wenger, who began his touchline ban, named several fringe players in his side and they simply failed to deliver, as Gary Brazil’s side came away with a 4-2 win.

Eric Lichaj opened the scoring for Forest with a point-blank header from a free-kick, before he doubled his tally for the afternoon with a sumptuous volley from outside the box following Per Mertesacker’s equaliser.

It was 3-1 in the second-half, as Ben Brereton extended Forest’s lead from the penalty spot. Danny Welbeck was able to pull a goal back for Arsenal, but Kieran Dowell’s controversial spot kick helped Forest achieve a much-deserved 4-2 win.

Here are our Arsenal player ratings.