Leeds United – Arsenal

The FA Cup third round comes to a close at Elland Road tonight, Arsenal travel to Yorkshire to take on Leeds United.

The big team news before kick off concerns the home team, with top-scorer Luciano Becchio unable to play. Billy Paynter assumes the responsibility of being Leeds' main goal threat.

Arsenal name a strong-looking starting line-up, although there are big names missing. Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie are both warming the bench.

Leeds came within minutes of causing a huge upset in the first leg. A full house at Elland Road should be enough to stir them into another inspired performance, will Arsenal be up to the task?

The teams are in the tunnel and the scene is set...

Samir Nasri is given the captain's armband for Arsenal in Cesc Fabregas' absence.

<b>KICK OFF</b> Leeds get us started!

Max Gradel with an early effort on goal for Leeds, his 20-yard drive is dragged wide of the post. A lively start from the home team.

An early free kick for Leeds, Nicklas Bendtner tugging back Gradel...

The free kick is pumped into the box, it's over hit and runs out for an Arsenal goal kick.

Leeds are flying into challenges and looking to intimidate their opponents. The tackles are perfectly fair, but firm.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Samir Nasri silences the home crowd!!!</b> Lovely approach play from Marouane Chamakh and Andrei Arshavin before Nasri collects possession, dances between two challenges and slots a finish past Schmeichel. A great start for the Gunners.

A disaster for Leeds, all that enthusiasm and atmosphere gone. Can they pick themselves up?

Arsenal have the game's first corner, Bendtner's cross deflected behind...

Chamakh meets the outswinging corner and guides his header wide.

Bacary Sagna is tripped by Ben Parker, a dangerous free kick for Arsenal...

Nasri's cross meets Chamakh again, his header is hard and downward, Schmeichel dives low to his right to acrobatically deny the Moroccan. A very good save!

Arshavin is tripped clumsily by Andy O'Brien, another threatening set piece...

The initial set piece is blocked, Nasri tries a one-two with Djourou from the rebound, but the Swiss defenders return pass is over hit.

The atmosphere is very flat in the ground after it was so lively before kick off. A sign of a job well done by Arsenal so far.

Sanchez Watt is playing against his parent club tonight, the young forward is on loan at Leeds from the Gunners.

Max Gradel attempts to launch an attack after swapping passes with Sanchez Watt. His cross looking for Billy Paynter is too long and is cleared.

The fans are warming up again now, they're trying to raise their timid team.

What a chance for Arshavin! Marouane Chamakh is in behind Ben Parker and delivers a low cross right into the Russian's path. Two yards out with the goal at his mercy, Arshavin fluffs it and completely misses the ball. He looks amused by it, I'm not sure Arsene Wenger will be.

Leeds really need to test Szczesny, the young keeper has had nothing to do so far.

Arshavin comes close to making ammends, after receiving possession 20-yards from goal, he unleashes a drive low towards the near post which Schmeichel turns behind!

Bradley Johnson heads the corner clear and Howson looks to break although he promptly loses possession.

The atmosphere is back inside Elland Road, all the crowd need now is a goal...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0119/samirnasrileedsgoal20110119_275x155.jpg"><br>Samir Nasri slots the ball home for the opening goal

Johann Djourou clears as Billy Paynter looks to flick on for Lloyd Sam. Solid defending.

Another opening for Arsenal, and it was a good one. Bacary Sagna raised in behind Parker again, 10 yards out from a tight angle, he blasts across goal and Bendtner is very close to getting on the end of it. Arsenal are carving Leeds open at times here.

Arshavin again trying his luck after carrying the ball to the edge of the box, his shot is charged down immediately.

Djourou is adjudged to have fouled Paynter on the half-way line, Leeds will look to lump this up field.

Andrei Arshavin almost lands Arsenal right in it! His casual header back to Szczesny is very nearly gathered up by Max Gradel. Luckily for Arshavin, the keeper gets their first.

This time Paul Connolly plays a very dangerous backpass and forces Schmeichel to act quickly to hoof clear!

Robert Snodgrass with a highly ambitious effort, cutting in from the right from bending a left-footed shot straight at Szczesny.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Bacary Sagna hammers home a second!</b> Nicklas Bendtner tries to dribble his way through Leeds, but he is tackled. The ball bounces to Sagna, who lashes a thunderous shot past Schmeichel, who can only get a hand to it.

It looks like game over now and Leeds haven't even made it to half time yet. Schmeichel will be disappointed to have conceded the Sagna goal, he really should've done better.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Bradley Johnson whacks Leeds back into contention! An absolute stunner!</b> An absolute beauty from Johnson, the ball is laid to him 25-yards out and his left foot shot is perfectly hit, rocketing into the top corner. Stunning.

Leeds were out of this tie for roughly one minute. The ground is rocking now and Arsenal have a game on their hands.

Szczesny had absolute no chance with Johnson's strike, unlike Schmeichel with Sagna's. Surely the goal of the round from Johnson?

Chamakh gets on the end of an Arshavin cross, his flicked effort is weak and straight at the Leeds keeper.

An Arsenal free kick, Ben Parker tripping Bendtner.

Arsenal take the free kick short and work possession to Alex Song, he can't get keep the ball in and it's a goal kick.

Free kick to Leeds 30 yards out, Howson is eyeing this up...

Howson did indeed fire in a shot, it was woeful and it's an Arsenal goal kick.

<b>ONE MINUTE ADDED</b>

Sagna tripped by Watt, one last Arsenal free kick...

A real waste, again taken short. Again it comes to Song, who lofts a pass out of play which was aimed for Nasri.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Bradley Johnson has fired Leeds back into a game they looked out of after Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna had given Arsenal a 2-0 lead.

Another exciting FA Cup tie so far at Elland Road. Arsenal have created more than enough chances to be out of sight in this game, with Arshavin in particular guilty of missing a big opportunity.

I cannot speak highly enough of Bradley Johnson's goal. When he hit it, I wouldn't be surprised if the people of Yorkshire heard a sonic boom, it was like a missile! Any other loud, explosive, fast metaphors you can think of are applicable. A cracking strike!

Arsene Wenger has never been beaten by lower league opposition in the FA Cup, can Leeds buck the trend?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0119/samirnasribacarysagnaceleb20110119_275x155.jpg"><br>Samir Nasri celebrates with Bacary Sagna

<b>SECOND HALF</b> Arsenal with the restart.

Alex Song should have restored Arsenal's two-goal lead instantly! Leeds were cut open straight from kick off, Nasri releasing Song. Bearing down on goal, his side-footed effort is well saved by Schmeichel. It should be 3-1.

Schmeichel again being called into action, Nasri hitting a 25-yard free kick over the wall and towards goal. The keeper prevents it crossing the line, but isn't too convincing in making the save.

Bradley Johnson gets that feeling again...his hits a 25-yard half volley...which is horribly scuffed a miles wide. Lightning doesn't strike twice, Bradley.

Arsenal's suspect centre-back pairing are coping reasonably well so far tonight. Except for Johnson's goal, Leeds have rarely threatened.

Max Gradel is trying to make an impact, but he is ploughing a lone furrow most of the time.

A fantastic saving tackle from Robert Snodgrass! Arshavin is played in and waiting to guide the ball past Schmeichel, Snodgrass out of nowhere slides in to the rescue. Wonderful defending.

Leeds clear the corner at the near post, but only for another corner...

The cross bounces for Bendtner, who takes a touch to control the ball. He handballs, and it's a free kick.

Bacary Sagna forced to concede a corner as Sanchez Watt threatens...

Arsenal survive and clear the corner.

Andrei Arshavin is having a pretty awful night. His latest contribution is a wayward shot from 25 yards. He looks bored, he's out of form, get him off.

Oh Arsene, get him off! Alex Song tees up Arshavin, with a clear shot at goal from 12 yards, he puts the ball in orbit. He has been woeful.

Andrei Arshavin is keeping Leeds in this at the moment. Alone, he could easily have scored three extra goals for Arsenal.

Will either manager think about making a change? Wenger must be thinking about removing Andrei Arshavin, but have Leeds got any spark in reserve?

So close for Leeds! Fantastic work from Max Gradel, his low cross is perfectly hit and looks for Billy Paynter who is just unable to make contact with the cross!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Leigh Bromby on for Andy O'Brien</b>

Leeds are giving it a go, but Szczesny has had nothing to do in the second half. Besides Gradel, none of their players look threatening.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Davide Somma on for Billy Paynter</b>

Davide Somma could have levelled it with his first touch! Howson advanced into the box and provided another low cross, it took a deflection before it arrived at Somma, who could only react quick enough to send it wide!

Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie are being prepared. It just doesn't seem fair, does it? All due respect to Leigh Bromby and Davide Somma, of course...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0119/bacarysagna20110119_275x155.jpg"><br>Bacary Sagna celebrates after putting Arsenal 2-0 ahead

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie on for Andrei Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh</b>

A huge blow for Leeds as Arshavin trudges off. His finishing has really kept the home team in the game, along with his carefree, laid-back attitude. Basically, he was awful.

Cesc Fabregas within a whisker of scoring with his first touch! A 30-yard free kick is bent narrowly wide by the Spaniard.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0119/johandjouroumaxgradel20110119_275x155.jpg"><br>Johan Djourou battles for possession with Max Gradel

Leigh Bromby launches a long throw into the Arsenal box, but it's headed behind.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Robin Van Persie seals it for Arsenal!!!</b> A goal as simple as they come. A deep cross from the right finds the Dutchman in acres of space at the far post. He nods the ball powerfully past Schmeichel, who had no chance.

It looks like it's all over for Leeds now, surely they can't find two goals?

That third goal was far too easy for Arsenal, Leeds defence has let them down at points this evening.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Lloyd Sam on for Sanchez Watt</b>

Can Lloyd Sam have any impact in the closing stages? Sanchez Watt struggled to make one against his parent club.

A late free kick for Leeds, can they find a second goal?

Leeds are certainly trying, but they have struggled to trouble the Arsenal backline all game.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Gael Clichy on for Samir Nasri</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0119/bradleyjohnsonleedsceleb20110119_275x155.jpg"><br>Bradley Johnson takes the plaudits after his stunning strike

Robin Van Persie goes looking for a second, spinning around Ben Parker a whipping a curling shot towards the far post, but it's a couple of yards wide.

Jonathan Howson gives away a free kick after a late slide tackle on Fabregas. Leeds look beaten now.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Bradley Johnson</b> is booked for dissent after protesting a free kick given against Howson.

Song with a block on Somma, on last chance maybe for Leeds?

Lloyd Sam and Max Gradel work a corner between them, Schmeichel is coming forward...

The corner is scrambled clear for a throw, Schmeichel retreats!

<b>FOUR MINUTES ADDED TIME</b>

Leeds have tried to apply pressure on the Arsenal defence, but they have held firm. It's not to be for the Whites...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Howson</b> is carded for his third foul on Fabregas in the last ten minutes.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0119/robinvanpersieleedsgoal20110119_275x155.jpg"><br>Robin van Persie heads home to seal the win for Arsenal

<b>FULL TIME</b> Arsenal secure what is, in the end, a comfortable win. Goals from Nasri, Sagna and Van Persie ensure that Johnson's stunner is nothing but a consolation for Leeds.