Lichaj double knocks out Arsenal 4-2

On this day in 2018 Forest beat FA Cup holders Arsenal 4–2 as Eric Lichaj scores twice.

Cup runs and campaigns

Giant-killing campaign

Double-goal scorer Eric Lichaj, pictured 2016. Image: Nottingham Forest F.C., via Wikimedia Commons

Nottingham Forest produced one of the City Ground’s great modern FA Cup shocks by beating holders Arsenal 4–2 in the third round.

Eric Lichaj became the unlikely hero. He gave Forest the lead by heading in Kieran Dowell’s free-kick from close range, and after Per Mertesacker equalised for Arsenal, Lichaj struck again before half-time with the goal everyone remembered: chesting down a clearance and smashing a superb volley into the corner.

The second half kept swinging. Ben Brereton converted a penalty after Matty Cash was fouled, before Danny Welbeck briefly dragged Arsenal back into the tie. Dowell then scored Forest’s second penalty after Armand Traoré was brought down, with the goal allowed despite Arsenal protests over a possible double touch. Joe Worrall was sent off late, but Forest held on for a famous win.

The day also gave the story its comic ending. Lichaj had been trying to persuade his wife Kathryn to let him get a dog, with a hat-trick supposedly the target. Two goals against Arsenal were close enough for Forest fans, who joined the campaign online. Days later, Lichaj introduced a new dog called Gunner.

Gary Brazil’s caretaker side had knocked out Arsène Wenger’s FA Cup holders, but the cup run ended in the next round with a 2–1 defeat at Hull City, leaving the Arsenal win as the clear high point of the campaign.