Holders Arsenal knocked out of English FA Cup following 2-1 defeat by Watford

Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura struck as Watford ended Arsenal's two-year reign as FA Cup holders with a brilliant 2-1 quarter-final victory at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Ighalo put Watford ahead in the 50th minute before Troy Deeney teed up Algeria winger Guedioura to slam a right-foot screamer into the top-right corner, with Danny Welbeck's 88th-minute reply coming too late.

Triumphant in the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015, Arsenal were beaten in the competition for the first time since a 1-0 fifth-round defeat by Blackburn Rovers in February 2013.

It left them facing the prospect of a trophyless season, with Arsene Wenger's side eight points off the pace in the Premier League and 2-0 down to Barcelona ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last 16 return leg at Camp Nou.

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