Arsenal – Leeds United

Live commentary will appear here from 1945 GMT.

Arsenal host Leeds in the third round of the FA Cup, and the anticipation has been building for days as Thierry Henry prepares to make his first appearance since returning to the Gunners on loan.

Leeds came close to an upset when the sides met 12 months ago, and Wenger insists there is <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1006096/arsenal's-arsene-wenger:-no-complacency-against-leeds-utd?cc=5739" target="_blank">no room for complacency this time around</a>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0106/thierryhenryandarsenewenger_275x155.jpg"><br>Thierry Henry is set to make his first appearance since rejoining Arsenal

Team news just in: Chamakh starts in attack, with Arshavin and Oxlade-Chamberlain in support. Henry is named on the bench.

Just in case you have been living under a rock, Lionel Messi has won the 2011 Barca d'Or. That's a hat-trick for the little fella. But you don't care about that, it's all about Thierry Henry here...

Well, Henry's on the bench but with Chamakh starting up front I'd expect the returning hero to come on when Arsenal actually need a goal.

For Leeds, Andros Townsend, who is on loan from Spurs (boos from the Arsenal fans) starts in midfield.

Robert Snodgrass scored for Leeds in a 1-1 draw in the very same fixture last season. The Scot is not here tonight so the responsibility to score falls to Luciano Becchio, who also played in that game.

Oxlade gets an overdue run out for Arsenal so Walcott will be a bit twitchy watching from the bench. Will he be secretly hoping the even younger youngster has a poor game?

ESPN's John Brewin at Emirates Stadium: <i>Leeds legends Gordon Strachan and Eddie Gray sat behind me. Leeds look short of their star quality. Win tonight would be a famous victory.</i>

Arsenal get the game underway, kicking from left to right, in their red and white kit. Leeds are in dark blue.

Arshavin takes an early pot shot but Lonergan's goal isn't threatened... row Z is.

Townsend breaks up an Arsenal attack and is brought down as he goes on the attack for Leeds.

Chamakh sets up Arshavin. The Russian shoots from the edge of the box but it's well over once again... more row Q this time though.

Leeds are yet to string more than three passes together.

Arshavin seeing a lot of the ball early on. He needs a good game tonight, it's been a while since he had one.

Chamakh is given plenty of time on the ball and Arsenal seem happy to stroll forward into space. No real urgency at the moment.

Arshavin pops up on the right. The Gunners pass it around a bit and then go back into their own half.

Miguel gets forward down the left and hooks the ball into the box for Chamakh, who can't control it.

Townsend is brought down by Coquelin.

Oxlade on the overlap with Coquelin, but Townsend makes a good tackle. Neither side is really firing, though Arsenal are on top.

It's very quiet. It was louder when ESPN pundit Martin Keown got hit in the head by a stray ball pre-match

Oxlade is pulled back by Townsend and Arsenal have a freekick on the right of the area.

Arteta whips in the freekick and Squillaci heads inot the side netting at the far post. A good delivery and a good effort on goal.

ESPN's John Brewin at Emirates Stadium: <i>Another chance to see Oxlade-Chamberlain in action. Aside from the lack of RVP, this is a pretty strong #afc team, give or take Squilacci.</i>

A long punt drops in the Leed box, White chests the ball back to his keepr, who has run off his line, but an OG is avoided by Lonergan's athleticism.

Ramsey hits a curling shot from about 20-yards. Unfortunately it's curling away, rather than in.

Arshavin is down holding his face after running into Pugh. No freekick.

Arshavin drives forward and beats three men. He slips a pass through to Ramsey, who is closed down by the keeper and runs the ball out of play.

Leeds are managing to break up Arsenal's attacks for the most part, but can't do anything when in possession.

Arshavin looks in the mood tonight. He darts into the box and cuts the ball back for Ramsey, whose shot is blocked.

Arteta cuts inside and shots from 25-yards. His long-range effort is just wide, but the keeper had it covered.

Freekick to Leeds on the right and chance to get the ball into the box....

...Song's header loops into the box. The ball eventually falls to Becchio, who shoots over from an angle.

Arshavin wins a corner.

Arteta takes the corner but Clayton heads it clear at the near post.

Oxlade races into the box as his marekr White falls over. The ref blows for a foul against the Arsenal man. It never was.

Oxlade skirts the edge of the box but then picks the wrong pass and Leeds clear.

Coquelin is down clutching his hamstring. Leeds play on until the ball goes behind for a goalkick and the Arsenal man can get some treatment.

Coquelin is up on his feet, but shaking his head.

Coquelin's game is over as he limpes off down the tunnel. Arsenal play on with ten men for now.

Arshavin finds space on the left once again. He drives into the box and then hits the first defender with his cross. Criminal.

The Leeds fans Ole each pass... shame its across the back four.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arsenal finally make the change Coquelin is replaced by No.56 Yennaris (I don't know either).

Versatile midfielder Nico Yennaris has risen through Arsenal's Academy ranks and is an England youth international, Arsenal's website tells us. <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/nicholas-yennaris" target="_blank">Read more</a>

Oxlade beats White down the right flank but his cross is as bad as one of Walcott's.

ESPN's John Brewin at Emirates Stadium: <i>Coquelin down. Looks like a hamstring. And Yennaris on as another midfielder converted into a defender. Bare bones. Winterburn is available?</i>

A few shouts to bring on Thierry Henry from the crowd.

Yennaris has completed all three of his passes so far.... if anyone's interested.

Arteta is chopped down by Vayrynen and the Gunners have a promising set piece....

.....Arteta takes it and wins a corner, which he also takes. Cleared by Leeds.

Nunez gets the ball 20-yards out. He is surrounded by three players and so pulls off a Platoon-esq dive.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> O'Dea is beaten by Chamakh on the flank and so he takes out the striker.

Arteta whips in the resulting freekick from the right flank, but it is well defended at the near post.

Arshavin wriggles and squirms down the left flank and gives the ball to Miguel, who tries a nutmeg and fails.

Ramsey hits a speculative shot from long-range. His effort hits White and goes behind for a corner.

From the corner, Koscielny heads high and wide.

<b>HT</b> Well that's it for an unexciting first-half.

<b>HT</b> The best thing about that half is that I have Leeds to draw in the Soccernet Showdown betting league.

<b>HT</b> Here's a couple of stats (sort of) from <i>Infostrada</i> to get you through half-time... When Thierry Henry played his first match vs Leeds (28 Dec 1999), Liverpool were top of the table in the Premier League.

<b>HT</b> And another: When Thierry Henry made his Arsenal debut on 7 Aug 1999, Ronan Keating led UK charts with ?When You Say Nothing At All?.

Leeds get the second-half underway. Still no Henry... why Arsene? Why?

Oxlade goes on the burst, he does a Nani style back-heel to cut inside and then drives a shot into the side netting.

More pretty passing pattersn from Arsenal... but we want goals. Shoot, dammit shoot!

Arhsavin faces up to Thompson, who gives away a corner with his tackle.

Leeds goalkeeper Lonergan punches the corner well clear.

ESPN's John Brewin at Emirates Stadium: <i>A cheer goes and some rapturous applause. It can only mean one thing, and it's not a goal. Thierry Henry is no Tevez. He's warming up.</i>

Lees makes a good interception and Leeds are on the break. They win a corner but Clayton's delivery is very poor.

Miguel looks up and picks out Arshavin with an excellent corss into the box. The Russian has loads of time but shoots first time and misses the target.

Arsenal corner. Arteta to take it...

Lonergan flaps it clear and Townsend's touch is too heavy as the counter-attack breaks down.

Oxlade down the right. He cuts the ball back to Chamakh, who tees up Arteta. The Spaniard attempts to pass into the far corner but Lonergan makes a great save.

Arshavin now. He races into the area from the left and shoots past Lonergan and across the face of goal. The Gunners are getting closer.

Chamakh nods a cross down for Oxlade, whose shot is blocked in the box. Arsenal claim handball but it wasn't.

Arsenal step it up a gear and win a corner. Lonergan claims the ball to ease the pressure on Leeds.

Miguel and Arshavin with some excellent one-touch passing down the left. Arteta joins in but keeps hold of the ball too long and gets tackled.

Song has space to shoot from 20-yards out. His effort is low and wide.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Leeds make their first change. Vayrynen is replaced by former Spurs midfielder Micahel Brown.

Arshavin rides a tough tackle from O'Dea to keep Arsenal's attack alive. Chamakh tees up Oxlade, who stings the palms of Lonergan with a shot from the edge of the box.

Townsend wins a corner for Leeds... but the ref gives a goalkick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Townsend isn't happy and boots the ball away. He gets booked for his efforts.

Henry is waiting to come on but the ball won't go out of play... come on Arsenal play the game, it's Henry time!

Arshavin down the left. Chamakh sets up Oxlade for a long-range shot. The youngster shoots wide and it looks like it will be his last touch.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> It's the long-awaited change that we all wanted. Oxlade goes off and on comes Walcott.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Oh and some bloke called Thierry Henry comes on for Chamakh. He gets a massive cheer for some reason.

Right, all Henry need to do now is score.

<b>Stat:</b> Thierry Henry comes on for his first match for Arsenal since a 1-1 draw vs PSV in the Champions League on March 7, 2007.

Yennaris has looked robust at right-back for Arsenal. Good job too, as the he is the only fullback they have.

Walcott delivers a dangerous cross. O'Dea heads behind for Leeds.

Song chips the ball long for Henry. The Emirates draw breath in unison but the pass is too heavy.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Leeds make a change. Off goes Becchio and on comes sharp-shooter McCormack. Could Leeds do a smash a grab?

Szczesny is obviously bored now and rushes out of goal to make a clearance. It a poor one, but he gets back in position to save Nunez's long-shot.

Two corners and a throw amount to nought for the Gunners.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Henry. Who else? A great through-ball from Song and Henry slides the ball past Lonergan and into the far corner.

It's probably Henry's second or third touch of the match. He's made a hero's return and my bet is scuppered. Thanks Thierry.

McCormack heads straight at Szszesny from the penalty spot. That was a good chance.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Leeds make a change. Midfielder Nunez goes off and on comes Forssell, a striker.

Song feeds Arshavin in the box. For some reason the Russian doesn't pass to Henry as the script dictates and shoots into the sidenetting instead.

<b>Stat</b> Thierry Henry has now scored 12 goals in 12 appearances against Leeds United.

ESPN's John Brewin at Emirates Stadium: <i>It had to be you. Thierry Henry. 'You're so s**t, you need Henry,' sing the Leeds fans. '1-0 to the Arsenal,' reply the Henry fan club.</i>

Leeds are finding it difficult to mount a challengg in the final few minutes of the match having been out of it for 84 minutes.

Henry has been given man of the match... not sure about that.

Miguel finds himself in the Leeds box, he tries to beat O'Dea but the defender reads it well and makes a well-timed tackle.

Ramsey takes the ball down on the edge of the box. Henry is free but he decideds to shoot and invariably misses. How long will it be before they realise they need to pass to Henry in those situations?

Forssell makes room for a shot and stings the hands of Szczesny. Leeds fight on as time ticks away.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0109/thierryhenryceleb20120109_275x155.jpg"><br>Thierry Henry celebrates after scoring on his return to Arsenal

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Henry kicks out at White near the corner flag. He escapes punishment as Arshavin then takes him down and gets booked instead.

<b>FT</b> That's it! Henry brings some excitement to an otherwise dull game and gives the Arsenal fans plenty to talk about over their post-match pints.

<b>FT</b> Henry milks the applause at Emirates Stadium, and rightly so, as the fans sing 1-0 to the Arsenal.

<b>FT</b> Henry's Arsenal, as they will henceforth be known, are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup and will face Aston Villa.