Two Penalties Mean A Second Date For Arsenal And Leeds

Championship Leeds United frustrated Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, holding them to a 1-1 draw with both sides scoring second half penalties.

After a goalles first half, dominated by Arsenal who had two attempts cleared off the line, Leeds took the lead after 54 minutes when Max Gradel was tripped in the area, Robert Snodgrass converting from the spot. Arsenal were level, however, when Ben Parker was pulled up for a tug on Theo Walcott, substitute Cesc Fabregas slotting the penalty home.

Arsene Wenger made nine changes to his starting line-up, the only players to survive from Wednesday's draw at Manchester City being Johan Djourou and Alex Song. Cesc Fabregas dropped to the bench while Aaron Ramsey made his first appearance in an Arsenal squad since his horrific double leg break against Stoke in February.

In the Leeds team top scorer Luciano Becchio returned to the starting XI as did Alex Bruce. Sanchez Watt, on loan from the Gunners, recovered from a head injury to play against his parent club.

There was a late change in the shape of the referee, Phil Dowd taking over from Chris Foy, who was unable to attend the game for personal reasons.

The first effort on goal came from Luciano Becchio. After Alex Song misplaced a pass in his own half the Argentine picked the ball up and turned down the chance to play a ball wide to Sanchez Watt, instead screwing his shot well wide of the goal.

That was to be the only shot on goal from the first ten minutes as Arsenal showed the passing ability their squad possesses and it wasn't too long afterwards that they produced the first big goalscoring oppurtunity, Tomas Rosicky playing an inch perfect through ball which Andrey Arshavin raced onto, only to find Casper Schemichel standing tall in the Leeds goal, and put his shot straight at the Leeds stopper.

There was to be a scare at the other end for Arsenal as they lost the ball once again in their own half through Tomas Rosicky and when through on goal Luciano Becchio saw his shot smothered by Wojciech Szczesny.

A bursting run from Nicklas Bendtner saw the forward push the ball out wide to Rosicky who in turn crossed over a teasing ball towards the Dane, only to see it headed out of the area.

The first yellow card of the game was awarded to Leeds defender Ben Parker for clipping the heels of Emmanuel Eboue when the utility man was pushing forward into enemy territory.

Soon after Andrey Arshavin caught a ball perfectly as it bounced up but his strike was straight at Casper Schmeichel who parried the ball away.

An inswinging Arsenal corner saw the ball drop at the feet of Bendtner who scraped a shot away which was cleared off of the line by Jonny Howson. Moments later it was Schmeichel's turn to keep out the Gunners as Denilson drove towards his goal but the 'keeper comfortably kept the ball out of the net. The pressure, however, wasn't over as from the resulting corner Becchio was forced into a goal lince clearance from Sebastien Squillaci's header.

As the half went on Arsenal kept the pressure up and another Arshavin corner found the head of Marouane Chamakh who planted his effort straight at Schmeichel.

A blatant shove in the back of Sanchez Watt saw captain for the day Tomas rosicky become the first Arsenal player to end up the the referees notebook.

There was to be more work for Casper Schmeichel before half time as Nicklas Bendtner forced his way past Ben Parker and Max Gradel before putting his effort straight at his fellow Dane in the Leeds goal.

At half time it was clear who was the better team, the home side well on top in terms of possession and shots on goal but it was Leeds goalkeeper and a pair of off the line clearances that kept the Whites in it.

Seconds into the second half Arsenal, through Alex Song, got in behind the Leeds defence but his cut back couldn't find any of his teammates and was easily cleared out of danger.

Arsenal had started the half well, pressing Leeds and forcing their defence back but the United defence was holding strong and were not easy to break down as first Bendtner and secondly Arshavin found out but the drama was to come at the other end.

After some tight work down the left by Sanchez Watt Denilson felled Max Gradel in the Arsenal area and Robert Snodgrass stepped up to smash the ball through the outstretched left hand of Szczesny to give United the lead in front of their travelling support.

The pressure mounted on Arsene Wenger and not long after the goal he brought on one of his bug guns in the shape of Cesc Fabregas who replaces Alex Song after 58 minutes.

Arsenal got straight back on the front foot and substitute Fabregas poked a ball out wide for Emmanuel Eboue and the Ivorian clipped a ball across the Leeds goal where Andy O'Brien got the lightest of touches with his head, that was, though, enough to keep the ball away from the forehead of Marouane Chamakh.

Leeds were still in it, however, and Bradley Johnson's cross took a deflection which forced Szczesny into pushing the ball over the bar for a corner and from the resulting set piece Luciano Becchio forced the Arsenal goalkeeper into a diving one handed save in order to make sure the game didn't get away from the Londoners.

With just over twenty minutes left in the game Arsenal needed an impetus and Wenger sent on Theo Walcott in the hope that he would be the one to provide it.

Leeds gradually grew into the game and as the pressure intensified around the ground there was more space to be found for the away side and after a foul by Johan Djourou Robert Snodgrass looked to double his tally as he swung a free kick wide of Arsenal's right hand post.

Cesc Fabregas has the ability to change a game and this was recognised by Leeds who seemed to be intent on fouling the influential midfielder, eventually resulting in a yellow card for United captain Jonny Howson.

There was to be one more throw of the dice for Arsenal as the young Mexican Carlos Vela came on in place of Tomas Tosicky.

With ten minutes left Arsenal won a free kick for a foul on Eboue and from it Fabregas swung a ball into the area and found Nicklas Bendtner but he was unable to keep his header from sailing over the bar.

There was slick passing to be seen from Arsenal but it was Leeds game to defend and they did so, not allowing any final balls into dangerous areas and Arsenal were becoming increasingly frustrated.

Leeds almost stole a second goal as Max Gradel ran into the area but his ball, attemptedly squared for Luciano Becchio, could only find the feet of Sebastien Squillaci.

The pace of Theo Walcott is something to be feared and it nearly caught out Leeds as Andrey Arshavin clipped a delightful ball of the top but the winger could only strike his first time volley straight at Schmeicehel.

There was to be more controversy though as first Theo Walcott spun in the area and was tripped up only for the linesman to signal for offside, but that wasn't the end of it and just a minute later Arsenal were awarded a penalty, again for a foul on Walcott as Ben Parker pulls at his arm when through on goal and it was the substitute Cesc Fabregas who stepped up to slot the ball down the centre and level up the tie.

Nicklas Bendtner had not had the best of matches but he had the chance to make amends as a ball over the top landed for him to volley but it veered up at him and ricocheted off of his toes and into the fans behind the goal.

As the game drew to a close Denilson saw a stinging drive from just outide the area superbly fingertipped wide by Casper Schmeichel and Theo Walcott swiped a shot wide from a tight angle but there was to be no more goals as Leeds, who finished with just 37% possession, held on to take their more illustrious opponents back to Elland Road for a replay that should be played on either Tuesday 18th or Wednesday 19th.

Arsenal V Leeds Preview

What would have been a heavyweight clash ten years ago is now just a game with a slim chance of upset in the FA Cup as Leeds United travel to the Emirates Stadium to play Arsenal.

Today it may not be such high quality football from both sides but don't count out Championship Leeds, who caused a massive upset last season as they dumped Manchester United out of the cup thanks to a goal from the now departed Jermaine Beckford. The Whites have gone from strength to strength this season, currently sitting in 5th place, looking to challenge the likes of Cardiff for automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

Their form has dropped off in their last four games, drawing three and losing one to promotion rivals Cardiff, but overall they have claimed nine points from their last six games, they will, however, have to up their game for the trip to Arsenal.

The gunners have been patchy of late, their last game, a dour 0-0 draw at home to Manchester City was preceded by a 3-0 win at Birmingham which in turn came after a disappointing 2-2 draw with Wigan and a 3-1 win over Chelsea. They do sit 3rd in the Premier League, though, and still have four chances of winning silverware this season which would be their first since winning the FA Cup in 2005.

Last seasons FA Cup saw both sides fall in the fourth round, Arsenal losing 3-1 to Stoke and Leeds by the same scoreline in a replay against Tottenham. But it was to be a memorable cup run for Leeds who, after overcoming Oldham and Kettering in rounds one and two, beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, the first time since a 1984 defeat to Harry Redknapp's Bournemouth that a side from a lower division had knocked United out of the cup.

The record between the two sides is even in nearly all forms of matches, the difference though, is in the FA Cup, where Arsenal hold a five wins to two advantage over Leeds. The clubs haven't met since they were both in the Premier League, when, aside from the two league games, they faced off in the FA Cup where Arsenal came out on top, coming from behind to thump Leeds 4-1 at Elland Road. The last Leeds victory over the Londoner's came on the last day of the 2002/03 season when goals from Mark Viduka, Ian Harte and Harry Kewell gave the Yorkshire club a 3-2 win at Highbury.

Arsenal are likely to make changes to their side and rest players including Jack Wilshere, Laurent Koscielny, Samir Nasri, Robin Van Persie and Gael Clichy who will be replaced by England international Kieran Gibbs.

Aaron Ramsey has also been included in the squad for the first time since his horrific double leg break at Stoke last season.

Bacary Sagna is suspended after his red card against Manchester City, a decision that Arsenal have not appealed, meaning the Frenchman will be out for the next three domestic games. It is thought that Emmanuel Eboue will be the man to step into Sagna's place.

Abou Diaby, Manuel Almunia and Thomas Vermaelen will all be missing with injuries.

For Leeds top scorer Luciano Becchio will return in place of Billy Paynter after being rested in the midweek defeat at Cardiff.

Lloyd Sam is out with a thight injury while Andy O'Brien suffered a dead leg against Cardiff. Neil Kilkenny is away with Australia at the Asian Nations Cup.

The most notable addition to the Leeds line-up will be Sanchez Watt, currently on loan at Elland Road from the Gunners, who has been given permission to play against his parent club as long as he recovers from a head injury suffered on Tuesday night.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson has bemoaned the recent run of games his side have played in such a short amount of time over the festive period, he told leedsunited.com:

"We're depleted somewhat by injury as it stands.

"We've had a lot of games in a short space of time, and that has taken its toll. I'm not surprised, given the run we've had, so we'll take things as they come over the next day.

"It was a tough game in midweek in terms of knocks, but we'll see what we have. Every player wants to be involved, and there'll be some who are disappointed, but I have to pick a team with one eye on what we've done and one eye on what's coming up against Scunthorpe the next weekend."

Whatever the result it will be an entertaining match, played out by two teams who try to play their football in the right manner, but, it should be Arsenal who are too strong for Leeds on the day.