Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal - LIVE!

Arsenal exited the FA Cup at the third-round stage after another sobering night at the City Ground.

The 14-time winners failed to even muster a shot on target as they laboured badly in falling to an upset against Championship opposition on Sunday evening.

Club captain Lewis Grabban came off the bench to score the all-important goal seven minutes from time, popping up to slide in Ryan Yates’ excellent cross after Albert Sambi Lokonga had given the ball away.

It is only the second time in the last 26 years that Arsenal have been dumped out of the FA Cup in the third round. They were also beaten by Forest during Arsene Wenger’s reign in 2018.

Next up for triumphant Forest is an East Midlands derby against holders Leicester in round four.

Follow Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal reaction LIVE with Standard Sport’s blog below, including expert analysis from Simon Collings at the City Ground!

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal latest news

• GOAL! Substitute Grabban slides home late opener

• Nottingham Forest team news: Cook and Davis handed debuts

• Arsenal team news: Patino makes first Gunners start

• Arsenal wearing one-off all-white kit in special initiative

Mikel Arteta speaking to ITV

19:48 , George Flood

"They won, they scored a goal and we didn't. We weren't good enough on the day and we are out of the competition and we must apologise for that.

"There were too many errors and too many give-aways in dangerous areas. We didn't have the capacity to change and adapt to win it.

"When you have nine players out it is tough but I don't want to use this excuse. I expect the players to play better and we are out.

"What we did is nowhere near the level or standard that are required. It is a collective issue."

Steve Cooper speaking to ITV

19:30 , George Flood

"I think the best team won. We came up against a really good team but we had a plan. I would have liked us to have more of the ball but I don't really remember Brice (Samba) having a save to make.

"I just hope the players can really believe in what we are doing because they should do.

"We are just thinking about building in a way that can serve us now and in the future. It is a big club this and deserves to be playing on the big stage. I felt it from day one and it is a real honour to be here."

19:22 , George Flood

Simon Collings at the City Ground

19:14 , George Flood

Arsenal out of the FA Cup and deservedly so after that performance.

They never got going at all and didn’t even muster a shot on target.

Fair play to Forest, they deserved the win. A big night for Steve Cooper.

Full-time

19:03 , George Flood

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal

IT’S ALL OVER!

THE 14-TIME FA CUP WINNERS ARE OUT IN THE THIRD ROUND AT THE CITY GROUND - AGAIN!

19:02 , George Flood

93 mins: A couple of long late throws from Arsenal, but the second is whistled as a foul throw.

That just about sums up Arsenal’s miserable night. Deary me.

19:00 , George Flood

90 mins: Three minutes of added time signalled.

Remember, Arsenal’s only other FA Cup third-round defeat in the last 25 years also came on this ground in 2018.

Here comes Kolasinac, with Cedric off. What kind of change is that with the Gunners needing a saviour?!

18:59 , George Flood

89 mins: Grabban with another chance late on for Forest, but he takes too long to let fly and White can make the block.

Arteta is preparing erm, Sead Kolasinac to come on here.

A centre-back about to go up top?

18:57 , George Flood

87 mins: A super atmosphere at the City Ground now as Forest try to see this out.

Brilliant defending from Spence, who has been superb tonight.

Are Arsenal about to come unstuck in the third round on this ground again?

Simon Collings at the City Ground

18:54 , George Flood

Forest lead and you can’t say they don’t deserve it. The City Ground is rocking.

GOAL! Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal | Lewis Grabban 83'

18:51 , George Flood

83 mins: UPSET ALERT!

Lokonga gives the ball away for Arsenal and Forest race clear down the right, with Yates’ excellent cross turned home by a sliding Grabban.

Some fans run on to celebrate with the home players. The City Ground is rocking.

Another huge shock on the cards here? That was Grabban’s first FA Cup goal for more than 10 years.

Simon Collings at the City Ground

18:49 , George Flood

The last thing Arsenal need before a trip to Anfield on Thursday is extra-time.

10 minutes for them to find a winner.

18:49 , George Flood

79 mins: Saka looks to be in but crucially declines to try and lift the ball over Samba, instead sending a cross in towards Lacazette.

Worrall does just enough to prevent the Frenchman from providing the finishing touch in the middle.

18:48 , George Flood

77 mins: Spence into the book now for a late challenge on Tierney.

It’s all very scrappy again, with extra-time surely looming.

24,938 is announced as the attendance at the City Ground tonight.

18:44 , George Flood

75 mins: A second Forest change from Steve Cooper.

Portuguese midfielder Cafu replaces Zinckernagel.

18:43 , George Flood

74 mins: Cedric completely wastes a free-kick for Arsenal, who have been so below par tonight.

Martinelli brings down the excellent Spence - the best player on the pitch this evening - and deservedly receives a yellow card.

18:42 , George Flood

18:38 , George Flood

69 mins: Patino’s full Arsenal debut lasts just shy of 70 minutes.

Arteta sends on Alexandre Lacazette in his place.

18:37 , George Flood

68 mins: Nketiah breezes past Cook in the box but he’s off balance and his left-footed strike sails into the stands.

18:36 , George Flood

67 mins: Spence makes a key intervention before Forest produce their first change of the evening.

It’s a like-for-like swap up front, with Villa loanee Davis making way for Lewis Grabban.

Watch: Nottingham Forest denied penalty

18:36 , George Flood

18:35 , George Flood

64 mins: Another promising Forest break after Colback’s clever interception.

Davis holds it up before a cross from Garner is arrowed too close to Leno, who snatches the ball out of the air.

18:32 , George Flood

61 mins: That’s a great effort from Garner, with a flying Leno pushing the ball away from danger.

Colback then goes down after a bit of a shove from Saka.

Forest appeal for a penalty, but referee Pawson waves play on.

A much livelier contest now!

18:30 , George Flood

60 mins: A free-kick in a promising central area for Forest after Yates is clattered by Martinelli...

18:28 , George Flood

59 mins: Chance for Arsenal!

Their best of the game as Saka’s cross picks out Nketiah at the back post, but he’s caught in two minds and gets his header all wrong.

It’s squared across the six-yard box instead of being directed on target and Samba doesn’t have a save to make.

18:27 , George Flood

57 mins: Arsenal try to respond as Forest’s calls for handball are dismissed and Patino’s shot is deflected wide.

Forest deal with the corner.

18:25 , George Flood

55 mins: Forest have the bit between their teeth now, though the Arsenal box is so crowded and Davis puts too much on a return pass to Colback and the ball goes behind for a goal kick.

Forest much the better side just at the moment.

Simon Collings at the City Ground

18:24 , George Flood

10 minutes into the second half and Arsenal still haven’t got going. How long before Arteta hooks some more of these players?

18:23 , George Flood

52 mins: Arsenal are dominating possession at the moment, but it’s all just tame sideways passing and a lack of numbers in the box as Nketiah tries to drop deeper to link up the play.

Cook sees off a cross before Forest break, with a lung-busting run from Johnson down the right. He cuts it back for Watford loanee Zinckernagel, whose cushioned volley is pushed wide by Leno.

Good save. The best moment of the match so far by a long way.

18:20 , George Flood

50 mins: The lack of urgency from Arsenal is quite striking as Martinelli looks to pick up the pace, only to pass passively inside to Odegaard.

Arsenal then go backwards.

18:18 , George Flood

49 mins: Now Arsenal look to punish a slack pass from Worrall, but Cook defends brilliantly one-on-one against Nketiah and the danger passes.

18:17 , George Flood

48 mins: It’s another dreadful pass from Arsenal into midfield and Forest seize on the error, with Davis’ strike blocked by White.

They keep up the pressure but the ball doesn’t quite fall for Zinkernagel and a little touch from Martinelli isn’t enough for a penalty, despite the home fans’ protests.

18:16 , George Flood

46 mins: Forest full-back Spence has been a rare bright spark in the gloom so far this evening.

He leaves Patino in his wake with a blistering run down the right flank, but his cross goes behind.

Second half underway

18:15 , George Flood

Back off and running at the City Ground.

A reminder that there are no replays at this stage of the competition this year, so we will have extra-time and even penalties if needed.

18:13 , George Flood

Arsenal’s players are out first for the second half.

Arteta will be demanding a massive improvement on that thoroughly lacklustre opening 45.

Should Arsenal have had a penalty?

18:07 , George Flood

18:04 , George Flood

“Arsenal look like Real Madrid but they are playing like a pub team. Rubbish.”

Roy Keane’s typically unvarnished thoughts on that first half on ITV...

Simon Collings at the City Ground

18:02 , George Flood

That was a really sloppy first half from Arsenal. Not got going at all and not controlled the game.

Nuno Tavares was hooked after 30 minutes or so, but everyone has been off the pace. Not had a shot on target. Arteta can’t be happy.

Half-time

17:58 , George Flood

Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal

A wholly scrappy and sloppy affair.

Hopefully we’ll see an improvement after the interval.

17:58 , George Flood

46 mins: Colback hauls down Saka just outside the Forest box, but the offside flag was up and there will be no late Arsenal free-kick.

The former Newcastle man breathes a sigh of relief.

17:57 , George Flood

45 mins: One minute of added time signalled at the end of this first half.

Another Forest attack is halted by a sloppy pass, before Garner blocks a hopeful shot from Martinelli.

17:56 , George Flood

44 mins: Forest aren’t much better at the moment in truth, with a potential attack wrecked as Yates’ pass is way behind Johnson.

It’s all very scrappy.

17:55 , George Flood

42 mins: Arsenal’s movement is so static and their passing very sloppy, conceding possession cheaply time and time again.

Nketiah loses his footing and inadvertently takes out Samba. It was clearly accidental, but the home fans don’t see it that way.

Just a free-kick awarded by referee Pawson.

17:53 , George Flood

40 mins: This is all very pedestrian from Arsenal, with Cook marshalling the Forest defence proudly on debut.

A bit of a drab contest at the moment that badly needs a goal to liven it up a bit.

17:50 , George Flood

38 mins: Arsenal tee up Holding for an all-too-predictable strike from the edge of the box that is easily blocked to send away a potential Forest counter, though Davis doesn’t spot the run of Johnson and the visitors are quickly back in possession.

Watch: Should Arsenal have had a penalty?

17:49 , George Flood

17:48 , George Flood

35 mins: Zinckernagel trips Saka and receives the first yellow card of the evening.

The tempo of a fairly mundane encounter then begins to pick up with both sides asking questions, though Forest are looking resolute and solid in defence.

Arsenal are struggling to break them down, with the vastly-experienced Steve Cook repelling Martinelli’s cross.

17:47 , George Flood

Simon Collings at the City Ground

17:46 , George Flood

Arteta is hooking Nuno after just 30 minutes here. Doesn’t look like there’s an injury, just a sign of Nuno’s performance.

17:45 , George Flood

34 mins: Here comes the change from Arteta.

Tierney replaces Tavares, who doesn’t look injured or indeed happy.

He tosses his gloves to the floor.

17:44 , George Flood

32 mins: Forest struggle to cope with Arsenal at the first corner and Worrall is very fortunate to get away with a blatant shirt pull on White.

A second delivery comes in, which is juggled by goalkeeper Samba before being claimed.

17:43 , George Flood

31 mins: Tierney takes his bright yellow subs bib off and after looking at the tactics board with assistant Steve Round, he’s about to come on.

Meanwhile, Lokonga’s strike from distance is deflected wide by McKenna.

17:41 , George Flood

30 mins: Nketiah’s strike is deflected into the side netting as Kieran Tierney intensifies his warm-up down the touchline.

Is a tactical switch imminent from Arteta? Neither Cedric nor Tavares have looked comfortable thus far.

17:39 , George Flood

27 mins: Brilliant from Worrall to win Forest possession before the dangerous Johnson gets down the right wing, with a cross cut out by the first defender.

Cedric then takes no chances as he heads Zinckernagel’s cross behind for another corner.

17:38 , George Flood

25 mins: A low pass from Odegaard for Nketiah is cut out as Arsenal look for a way through on the edge of the Forest box.

They reset and maintain possession, with Patino trying to force the initiative.

Tavares’ cross for Nketiah is headed away before a dreadful centre-back’s volley from Holding, which goes all the way out for a throw-in on the far side.

17:35 , George Flood

22 mins: Leno gratefully accepts a deflected cross as McKenna releases Colback and Cedric is rather caught ball-watching.

Then come Forest again, but this time McKenna’s pass is too heavy.

17:32 , George Flood

20 mins: Spence needs no second invitation to get forward down that Forest right-hand side and Garner will have the chance to swing in a free-kick from a decent position after Martinelli accidentally stands on the back of the rapid full-back’s foot.

But it’s a dreadful waste as the delivery hits first man Martinelli. You can see what Steve Cooper thought of that!

Simon Collings at the City Ground

17:30 , George Flood

This is Arteta’s first game back on the touchline since he had Covid, and he’s back to his usual self.

He’s not sat down once and is gesturing constantly to his players. Nuno Tavares the latest to get some orders.

17:30 , George Flood

16 mins: A robust but fair challenge from Odegaard disrupts another Forest break, with Pawson happy to play on.

A cross from the right is repelled inside the Arsenal box.

Forest are knocking the ball around well here, with the likes of Spence, Yates and Johnson all involved.

17:28 , George Flood

15 mins: Arsenal build some possession after a fierce pass from Holding finds Martinelli, whose scooped cross is deflected behind for a corner.

Nketiah goes short and Odegaard’s cross towards White is plucked out of the air by goalkeeper Samba, who looks to launch a quick counter.

17:25 , George Flood

13 mins: Arteta is cutting a deeply unhappy and frustrated figure on the touchline just at the moment, gesticulating wildly amid a rather slow start from his team.

17:23 , George Flood

11 mins: The speedy Spence is brought down by Cedric, who is perhaps fortunate to only receive a word of caution from referee Craig Pawson.

A bizarre, chest-high pass from Tavares back to Leno then gives Forest a chance to deliver a corner from the right-hand side.

Luckily for the Portuguese, nothing comes of it. What was he thinking?!

17:21 , George Flood

9 mins: Davis - who signed on loan from Aston Villa last week - has had a busy start for Forest, almost releasing Johnson on a swift Forest break before getting into it with Holding, who had got across well to avert the danger.

17:19 , George Flood

7 mins: Arsenal swing a free-kick into the box and keep the attack alive after an initial clearance, with centre-back Ben White drawing ironic cheers from the home contingent as he fails to hit the target.

Simon Collings at the City Ground

17:18 , George Flood

Charlie Patino is making himself known early on. He’s thrown himself into a few tackles and come out with the ball too.

A solid start from the teenager.

17:16 , George Flood

4 mins: An early opportunity for Forest as the highly-rated Brennan Johnson links up nicely with Philip Zinckernagel and Keinan Davis and gets free down the left flank.

However, Bernd Leno is very quick off his line to come and snuff out the danger effectively.

17:14 , George Flood

2 mins: An early loss of concentration from Nuno Tavares as these two sides jostle for supremacy in the early going.

A great noise and atmosphere in store this evening.

Kick-off

17:11 , George Flood

We are underway!

Tottenham and Liverpool avoided huge upsets this afternoon, can Nottingham Forest succeed where Shrewsbury and Morecambe missed out?

17:07 , George Flood

Here come the teams at the City Ground!

A powerful message from the Arsenal players as they come out of the tunnel in that all-white kit.

Rob Holding is the Gunners captain this evening.

17:06 , George Flood

Nottingham Forest or Arsenal to host Leicester next

16:58 , George Flood

The draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup is in progress as we speak, with the winners of Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal set to host holders Leicester next.

So will that be an all-Premier League affair or an East Midlands derby?

Simon Collings at the City Ground

16:49 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings is at the City Ground, where he reacts to the news of Charlie Patino’s first senior Arsenal start...

Cook and Davis make Forest debuts

16:43 , George Flood

New signings Steve Cook and Keinan Davis go straight into the Forest starting XI as part of three changes following the defeat to Huddersfield.

Ryan Yates is also back, with Braian Ojeda, Xande Silva and Lewis Grabban dropping to the bench.

Looks like a 3-4-3 formation from the hosts.

Patino makes full Arsenal debut

16:33 , George Flood

The headline team news from an Arsenal perspective is that Charlie Patino starts for his full debut, with fellow youngsters Salah-Eddine, Omari Hutchinson and Mika Miles Biereth on the bench.

It’s seven changes from the last-gasp Premier League defeat by Manchester City on New Year’s Day, with Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka the only players to retain their starting berths.

Arsenal have confirmed that Granit Xhaka and Folarin Balogun are out due to Covid, while Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu are absent due to a tight groin and tight right calf respectively.

Nottingham Forest lineup

16:15 , George Flood

Arsenal lineup

16:14 , George Flood

Ian Wright supporting the No More Red campaign

16:08 , George Flood

Simon Collings at the City Ground

16:01 , George Flood

Our man Simon Collings has arrived at the City Ground, where he is expecting a youthful Arsenal side that may include a certain Charlie Patino.

Official team news is on the way!

Forest hope for repeat of 2018 upset

15:56 , George Flood

These two clubs have met three times in cup competition over the last few years, with Forest still waiting to end their Premier League exile that has lasted since 1999.

Gabriel Martinelli notched a brace on his first competitive start for Arsenal in a 5-0 Carabao Cup third-round win at the Emirates back in September 2019, while Lucas Perez was on target twice in a 4-0 romp at the City Ground three years earlier.

However, Forest bested Arsenal 4-2 in their last FA Cup meeting in January 2018, with Arsene Wenger knocked out in the third round for the first time.

Idris Elba backs Arsenal and Adidas campaign against youth violence

15:43 , George Flood

Idris Elba has said no child is born with aspirations to be a gang member and highlighted the importance of offering young people “options” away from knife crime as he backed a major campaign against violence in the capital with Arsenal and Adidas.

The Hackney-born actor, known for The Wire and Luther, said giving young people alternatives to joining a gang — such as youth clubs or sports facilities — was the best way to keep them off the streets.

Elba, 49, suggested that the pandemic could have put unprecedented pressure on young people and led to more violent crime.

There were 30 teenage killings in the capital in 2021 — passing the previous record of 29, set in 2008 — with most involving knife attacks. Police figures show over 10,000 knife crime offences in London between June 2020 and June 2021.

Hollywood star Elba said more people needed to “stand up” and speak out about knife crime to make a difference.

Click here to read the interview

15:38 , George Flood

A peak inside the Arsenal dressing room at the City Ground, with those all-white kits laid out...

Cooper: Covid has been ‘riddled’ in Forest

15:35 , George Flood

Arteta’s opposite number Steve Cooper, meanwhile, also opened up on the difficulties of coping with ongoing Covid issues at Forest.

“There’s a lot of players out injured and Covid has been riddled in the club now for a little while. It’s been a tough couple of weeks, in terms of dealing with it.”

Asked if today’s match had come close to potentially being called off, he said: “It’s not a question I can answer. It’s for above me.”

Arteta on Arsenal squad issues

15:27 , George Flood

Both of today’s teams had their last matches postponed, with Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on Thursday also called off due to a Covid outbreak at the Merseyside club.

Arteta admitted on Friday that the Gunners themselves were still waiting on test results, with coronavirus, injuries and AFCON absences causing him a selection headache.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has also now joined Jose Mourinho’s Roma until the end of the season, with the likes of Folarin Balogun also expected to be loaned out soon.

“We will asses the squad,” Arteta said.

“We still have some issues around it, like is happening every single match. Tomorrow when we have the last training session, when we have every test back, we will know who is available and we will try to go there to win the match.

“It was for Covid and injuries as well. I cannot say anything else. I don’t want to give anything away, as you can imagine. Tomorrow we will know more. We are really short with numbers. We are really, really short in numbers.

“We want to play and that’s how we are approaching every game. We want to do everything to plan the game and we don’t expect different than to play on Sunday.”

Arsenal to wear one-off white kit today

15:16 , George Flood

Arsenal will be wearing a one-off all white kit this afternoon as part of a special initiative with Adidas to tackle knife crime and youth violence.

The No More Red campaign builds on the work currently being done by Arsenal in the Community and aims to provide safe spaces for people to play football, starting with the pitch on the Harvist Estate just minutes away from Emirates Stadium.

It will also involve a mentor scheme, with the likes of Ian Wright and Idris Elba on board with the project.

Today’s kit will never be commercially available and will only ever be awarded to individuals who are making a positive difference in the community.

Following the game, the ten shirts worn by outfield players will be gifted to organisations doing work in the community to address some of the root causes of knife crime and youth violence, such as The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation and The Ben Kinsella Trust.

You can read more about this initiative here

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal prediction

15:08 , George Flood

In the past, this was exactly the kind of game one would expect Arsenal to slip up in.

Still, even with changes in mind, the Premier League side should have too much.

Arsenal to win 3-1.

Arsenal team news - Arteta ‘really short’ on numbers

15:06 , George Flood

Mikel Arteta admitted at his pre-match press conference on Friday that Arsenal are ‘really, really’ short on numbers ahead of a trip to the City Ground.

Nicolas Pepe, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are all away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Gabriel is suspended after his sending off in the last-gasp defeat by Manchester City on New Year’s Day, while Sead Kolasinac is injured and Calum Chambers could miss out again after Covid.

The likes of youngsters Charlie Patino, Omari Hutchinson and Salah Oulad M'Hand are all part of Arsenal’s travelling squad.

Arsenal predicted XI: Leno; Cedric, Holding, Mari, Tavares; Lokonga, Xhaka; Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Nketiah

Nottingham Forest team news - Cook and Davis could make debuts

15:02 , George Flood

Forest could hand debuts to new signings Steve Cook and Keinan Davis today after the duo joined from Bournemouth and Aston Villa respectively.

The hosts have been dealing with plenty of Covid troubles of late, with Monday’s Championship meeting with Barnsley postponed.

Joe Lolley, Alex Mighten, Loic Mbe Soh and Rodrigo Ely are all sidelined due to injury.

Mohamed Drager is away on international duty with Tunisia, while Max Lowe is in the final stages of his recovery from a groin strain but isn’t ready to return yet.

How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

14:56 , George Flood

TV channel: In the UK, this evening’s game will be broadcast live on ITV, with coverage beginning at 4:20pm.

Live stream: Fans will also be able to catch the action online via the ITV Hub.

Welcome to Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal LIVE coverage!

14:50 , George Flood

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of an intriguing FA Cup clash between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal.

We’ve had no shortage of shocks on third-round weekend so far... could we add to that number in the East Midlands?

Kick-off today is at the slightly odd time of 5:10pm GMT, so stay tuned for match build-up, live updates, the latest team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings, who is at the City Ground for Standard Sport this evening.