Eric Lichaj backs Nottingham Forest to repeat FA Cup third-round shock that upset Arsenal after his ‘special’ 2018 goals

NOTTINGHAM FOREST FA Cup hero Eric Lichaj is helping the current season to repeat history by knocking Arsenal out in the third round AGAIN.

And he wanted to be in the crowd to see someone score a hat-trick for him.

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Steve Cooper Forest hosts the Gunners on Sunday night, four years after their memorable 4-2 win at the City Ground at the same stage of the tournament.

Lichaj, 33, believes another cup could be on the cards and told SunSport: “Before we beat them 4-2, we lost 4-0 and after we left, they left. lost 5-0 so I hope it turns the game around and we get another win.

“Another 4-2 would be great, loads of goals, a good game FA Cup forced and maybe someone will get a little hat-trick.

“The fans look for the underdog, everyone can be shocked no matter what club or league you’re at.

“Actually, I’ll give Forest a big chance. Hopefully, they start off like 2018 – if they do, they have every chance to win the game.

“I am looking forward to a good game. I’ll probably go and see. I want to see them on the forefoot, for Arsenal a game and something for the fans to cheer for. “

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Right-back Lichaj scored TWO of his ten professional career goals in the 2018 win.

The first is a close header against a volley and the ‘special’ chest in the top corner has carved his name into Forest folklore – and secure him a long-awaited beloved pet dog.

Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck were Arsenal targets but Ben Brereton Diaz and Kieran Dowell scored in the second half to knock out holders at the first barrier of their defence.

American Lichaj holds fond memories of that famous day – frequently reminded of him by his fans – even though Forest was eliminated by Hull in the next round.

The 2017 Gold Cup winner, who retired last summer and now coaches Forest’s Under-23s, added: “By now, years later, everyone at Nottingham is saying, ‘Oh, the goals. Yours against Arsenal was amazing.’ That was the first thing they came up with.

The second one that everyone else remembers…is the best goal of my career

Eric Lichaj

“That is something that will live with me. It’s part of the history of Forest of Nottingham – although it’s not quite the European Cup.

“Arsenal was the first team to play as the host in the third round. I didn’t realize it was Wenger’s last FA Cup game but he has enough titles and achievements, maybe he didn’t think about it.

“I don’t score too many goals but those two will always be special to me.

“In the first game, Arsenal’s defense was terrible. So I left it to the last minute to get in front of David Ospina and nod in.

“The second one that everyone else remembers. Believe it or not, I scored some special goals in training but I’m just happy to do it on the main stage in front of all the Forest fans, especially against a team like Arsenal.

“That is best goal in my career Clever technique. I won’t repeat that for a long time – certainly not now that I’m retired! “

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