Nottingham – FA Cup holders Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest on Sunday, losing a dramatic tie 4-2 in the biggest shock of the third round.

As it happened: Notts Forest v Arsenal – FA Cup

Championship side Forest revived memories of their glory years under Brian Clough, putting 13-times winners Arsenal to the sword in an incident-packed win at the City Ground.

“It was good. My wife told me that if I score a hat-trick at any point this year then I get a dog, so I was trying to get the penalty,” said two-goal hero Eric Lichaj.

“Vaughany (David Vaughan) told me politely – I won’t say what he said to me – to go away.”

US international Lichaj opened the scoring for the home side with a header midway through the first half but Per Mertesacker equalised for the much-changed away team just three minutes later.

However, Forest continued to probe an inexperienced Arsenal line-up and got their reward just before half-time when Lichaj volleyed in spectacularly from the edge of the box.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, serving a touchline ban, was forced to watch powerless from the stands as Rob Holding conceded a penalty that teenager Ben Brereton converted in the 64th minute to stretch the home side’s lead to 3-1.

Danny Welbeck gave Arsenal hope with just over 10 minutes to go but Kieran Dowell netted from the penalty spot again to seal a 4-2 win for the second-tier side over the Premier League visitors.

In a breathless final few minutes Forest’s Joe Worrall was sent off but it was too late for Arsenal.