This just felt like it might not be the easiest FA Cup 3rd round tie for Arsenal.
Traveling to the City Ground to face the Championship's Nottingham Forest, an electric atmosphere amongst the home support served to create a setting that seemed destined to enable a cup upset.
Looking to kick off their attempts at winning this trophy for the fourth time in five years, Arsene Wenger, already serving his three-game touchline ban and looking on from the stands, witness his side fall one behind to an effort from Forest's Eric Lichaj.
Yet, no sooner had the US international put the hosts ahead, and one of Arsenal's FA Cup final heroes of 2017 had drawn them level, Per Mertesacker drawing the Gunners level after a bit of confusion in the Forest box.
Surely calming the nerves of the shaken Arsenal players and gearing them up for a procession win, it didn't quite work out that way.
Taking the ball on his chest at the edge of Arsenal's box just before half-time, Lichaj broke Arsenal's resilience once again - and how!
Eric Lichaj has scored an absolute cracker. Arsenal are a shambles at the back.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) January 7, 2018
HT 2-1 #nffc Eric Lichaj had scored seven goals in his entire club career before today. He's got two in 45 minutes against Arsenal.
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) January 7, 2018
Half time here and #nffc lead 2-1. And they deserve it too. Two goals from Eric Lichaj - one of which was a stunning strike. Somebody get that man a pen, for goodness sake.
— Paul Taylor (@nottmtails) January 7, 2018
Fabulous goal. Lichaj volley. Arsenal defence again shambolic. Brereton causing chaos to BFG and defence. 2-1 Forest. #NFFCvAFC
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) January 7, 2018
In truth, Forest are good for their half-time lead. Defensively, Arsenal have been very suspect, and, with so many of their regular starters not even in today's match-day squad, a 3rd round shock could well be on the cards.
You can watch the goal below.
Ok Lichaj, that was very decent... #FACup pic.twitter.com/ZsPaTsR9CC
— Daniel Cutting (@dcfreestyle) January 7, 2018
