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Nottingham Forest Knocks Arsenal Out in FA Third Round Again
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta apologised for his side’s display after they were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Nottingham Forest for the second time in four years.
Lewis Grabban slid home Ryan Yates’ inviting cross seven minutes from time to shock the 14-time winners.
The Gunners appeared to have turned a corner of late but were lacklustre against their Championship opponents.
“We were not good enough and we have to apologise for it,” Arteta said.
“We needed more drive, more hunger to win at any cost in every single action, much more. We were not at our level.
“I’m really disappointed with the performance, first of all. Not with the attitude but how much purpose we have and what determination we showed to change the game when it’s difficult to play against the way they play.
“I have played in games like that for the past 18 years and I know how complicated it is to come here. It’s no surprise the difficulties you are going to face. But when we do that, we have to face it in a different way.
“It is really hurting. It is a competition that is very related to our history and to get out of it is a big bump.”
Arteta made numerous changes but England winger Bukayo Saka, Norway playmaker Martin Odegaard and in-form Gabriel Martinelli all played at the City Ground.
Forest, resurgent under manager Steve Cooper, can now look forward to an East Midlands derby and another meeting with a Premier League side, holders Leicester City, in the fourth round.
The Championship side, who beat the Gunners 4-2 at the same stage in 2018 and have not lost a home tie in six years, were physical from the start.
Cooper was delighted with his side’s battling display, the latest in a series of impressive performances since he took charge in September.
“I think we deserved to win,” he said. “We came up against a really good team. We had a clear game plan. We wanted to be brave with our pressing and get at them on the counter and that’s how we scored.
“I’m really proud of the boys, pleased with the performance. It’s brilliant to get through and I hope the players now really believe in what we’re doing.”
Debutant Kienan Davis, leading the line after completing a loan move from Aston Villa, caused problems for the visiting defence during a first half in which Arsenal failed to assert themselves.
Arteta’s frustration was illustrated when he substituted left-back Nuno Tavares – whose performance was summed up by a wild back pass that visiting keeper Bernd Leno had to chest away from goal – for Kieran Tierney after 34 minutes.
The Portuguese defender threw his gloves away as he left the field and did not acknowledge his manager on the sidelines.
After the break, Leno denied Philip Zinckernegal when he connected sweetly with Johnson’s inviting cross then kept out Joe Garner’s powerful free kick.
But with eight minutes left, substitute Grabban met Yates’ cross to condemn Arsenal to another third-round exit in the East Midlands.
Deja vu for brilliant Forest
There were nearly 25,000 packed into the City Ground and the crowd clearly inspired Cooper’s men, who won battles all over the pitch.
Djed Spence, on loan from Middlesbrough, was particularly impressive at right-back, nullifying Martinelli.
Arsenal had been warned of the threat Forest posed from crosses early in the second half, but they didn’t learn and paid the price on a miserable night for Arteta’s men.
Arsenal fall short again
Arsenal, who were wearing an all-white kit in support of the ‘No More Red’ campaign against knife crime, have improved their form in recent weeks so this is a setback they will not have expected.
They were unlucky against Premier League leaders Manchester City on New Year’s Day but failed to show any of the same application here.
Eddie Nketiah’s weak header from a cross by Saka – who was the brightest player for the visitors – was the best they could muster.
The record FA Cup winners have lost only twice in the third round since 1996 – and both times were at the hands of Forest.
Fitness meets cultural expression as GOOD SWEAT prepares to bring its CULTURE RUN experience to Lagos on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Designed around the connection between physical wellness and cultural identity, CULTURE RUN offers participants an opportunity to embrace an active lifestyle while celebrating the richness of African culture. The event brings together fitness enthusiasts, culture lovers, and individuals looking for a refreshing way to connect through movement and shared experiences.
The run is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM, setting the stage for an evening that extends beyond fitness. At 6:00 PM, participants can look forward to the CULTURE PARTY, the event’s post-run celebration.
Adding to the experience is a distinctive dress code that encourages attendees to wear their regular running kits with a touch of cultural wear. This creative blend of athletic apparel and traditional-inspired fashion gives participants an opportunity to express their individuality while celebrating their cultural roots.
The event will take place at Bistrot Samantha’s, located at 7/12 Rumen’s Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
With its combination of fitness, fashion, culture, and social interaction, CULTURE RUN aims to create an experience that extends beyond the running track, bringing people together through a shared appreciation for wellness and cultural expression.
As Lagos continues to embrace lifestyle experiences that combine fitness with social engagement, CULTURE RUN offers an opportunity for participants to stay active, celebrate their heritage, and connect with like-minded individuals in a vibrant setting.
EVENT DETAILS
Event: CULTURE RUN
Presented by: GOOD SWEAT
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Run Time: 4:30 PM
Post-Run Party: 6:00 PM
Dress Code: Running kit with a touch of cultural wear
Venue: Bistrot Samantha’s
Address: 7/12 Rumen’s Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
itel, the technology empowerment brand for masses, officially unveiled its new product A300+, brand’s first interactive dual-screen smartphone in its price range. itel A300+ comes with a comprehensive set of features — a 7000mAh marathon battery, IP65 military-grade durability, and satellite communication capability, demonstrating that innovation and complete product strength can coexist at an accessible price point.
A First-of-Its-Kind Rear Screen Experience: Interactive Innovation for a New Generation
itel A300+ coming with an interactive rear display is a rare feature in this price category, designed to deliver a smart entertainment experience for young generations. Far from being a cosmetic gimmick, the rear screen provides practical functions built around real everyday scenarios. Users can frame selfies using the higher-quality rear camera with a live preview on the back screen, glance at incoming messages and alerts without waking the main display, and play, pause, or skip tracks directly from the rear screen. The rear display also supports customizable clocks, photos, and designs, giving users a personal window to express their individual style. Complementing the rear screen, the A300+ features a 6.78-inch immersive punch-hole main display, offering a cleaner, more expansive viewing experience for streaming, gaming, browsing, and social media.
Performance and Value in Balance: Delivering Fresh Technology Despite Industry Pressure
Even amid rising industry costs, itel has chosen to bring fresh technology to its products while continuously improving performance and keeping pricing accessible. The A300+ is powered by a 7000mAh marathon battery engineered for long-term reliability, supporting up to 1,200 charging cycles — far exceeding the industry standard, and designed to retain healthy capacity. AI Charging Protection intelligently manages charging patterns to reduce battery degradation, while Smart Power Management optimizes power consumption across apps and hardware to extend usage time between charges.
The device also features 300% ultra-volume DTS stereo speakers, delivering rich, room-filling sound for music, videos, FM radio, and everyday entertainment. Built to withstand daily life and beyond, the A300+ carries IP65 water and dust resistance certification and meets military-grade durability standards, resisting splashes, dust, and accidental drops. Notably, the A300+ includes satellite communication capability, ensuring users can still send basic messages via satellite when cellular networks are unavailable — a safety net in remote areas, during natural disasters, or in other critical situations, setting it apart in its price segment.
The A300+ is built on a clear product philosophy, rather than relying on a single headline feature, it combines its key strengths into one complete product story. The rear screen captures attention first, while battery life, durability, and practical usability make the overall value proposition convincing. With the A300+, itel once again demonstrates its commitment to using innovation to meet the needs and desire for novelty among young users in emerging markets.
The itel A300+ is available in two variants: the 64GB ROM and 128GB ROM and they are both available in all phone retail stores in Nigeria or via online store HERE
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