please log in to view this image English FA Cup 9th Jan 2012 KO: 19:45 Emirates Stadium please log in to view this image Arsenal welcome Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium in the third round of the FA Cup. Both teams met each other in the same round last year, Arsenal manged to find a late goal through Cesc Fabregas to keep them in the competition. That goal led to a replay against Leeds at Elland Road, Arsenal came through that tough game and got themselves into the fourth round. Arsenal found the task of breaking down Leeds a difficult one last time and they should expect yet another difficult game. Leeds and Arsenal have faced each other fifteen times in the FA Cup. The famous game for Leeds fans being the final in 1972 when Leeds beat Arsenal 1-0 after an Allen Clarke winner in the 53rd minute. Both sides, are also famous for the 1991 replays. They needed four games to find a winner and after three attempts, Arsenal got a 2-1 victory at Elland road to end this marathon FA Cup Fourth Round tie. Arsene Wenger, rarely plays his best team in the third round so the likes of Rosicky,Arshavin,Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabianski will be no doubt given a chance to impress. Arsenal come into this game on the back of a bitter defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage. A defeat that set them back in their chase for a top four spot. That defeat also meant they remained 12 points behind Manchester City, so the title is nearly out of their reach and having already been dumped out the Carling Cup, this competition remains the best prospect for a trophy which will end a seven year spell without one. Leeds unlike Arsenal, go into this game with a victory in their last game. Leeds came back from a goal down against ten men Burnley to win. Leeds sit in eight place in the Championship, a point off the playoff spots. An Automatic promotion is also not impossible for them. West Ham who are in second place, have a nine point buffer and a gap like that can be easily lost in the Championship. Leeds under the management of Simon Grayson are a top ten side in the Championship and they do not have the financial backing as some of the teams in the Championship. Recently, they managed to secure the service of Andros Townsend from Tottenham, a left footed winger that can play on either side. His pace and Arsenal's lack of full backs could see Leeds get joy from that area of the pitch. Up front they have Luciano Becchio who impressed against Arsenal last season. He normally likes to drop deep and create with his technical ability. Ross Mccormack, is the man that has got the goals for Leeds this season and the former Cardiff man will the goal threat that Arsenal need to watch out for. Leeds did not retain the service of Kasper Schmeichel in the summer and that would be a bit of a relief for Arsenal fans because he had two outstanding games against them last season. Making wonder saves after wonder saves. Alex Bruce is another player that had an outstanding game in defence and nearly kept Arsenal at bay. But he has not featured much for Leeds United this season but could yet start against Arsenal if passed fit. In Midfield, they lost Bradley Johnson to Norwich and replaced him with the likes of Danny Pugh and Michael Brown in midfield. Leeds have developed a taste for quality performances against top sides in recent times and will not roll over so Arsenal will need some of their fringe players to step up and deliver for once. Players like Oxlade-Chamberlain might finally get their chance to impress in this game and they will keen to do so because a possible spot in the first team is open thanks to the absence of Gervinho who leaves for the African Cup of Nations for a month. Andrey Arshavin is running out of time to save his career at Arsenal and this game could present another chance for him to get the fans back on his side. Lukasz Fabianski is in line for a rare start and it will his first since the horror show against Olympiakos in the Champions League. If the paper work between Arsenal and New York Red Bulls is complete, the this game could mark the return of Arsenal's record goal scorer. The last time Thierry Henry faced Leeds, he only managed the four goals. But that was Henry at his absolute peak, but now he will have to use his brain more than even before if he is to help Arsenal in this loan spell. The FA Cup represents a chance for Arsenal to end a run of seven years without a trophy and in a season where a top 4 spot might be seen as the be all and end all, a trophy will also be vital if Arsenal are to get back to competing with the very best. For Leeds, promotion remains the most important thing but that has not stopped them from putting in top performances in this competition before. Arsene Wenger has not lost against a non-premier league side in the FA Cup in his 14 year reign at Arsenal and Arsenal fans will be hoping that stats remains intact once this game is finished. Teams News: Wenger: Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs Leeds United: Played: 122 Wins: 47 Draws: 34 Losses: 41 For: 188 Against: 156 GD: 32 Last 6 Meetings: Leeds United 1 - 3 Arsenal Arsenal 1 - 1 Leeds United Arsenal 5 - 0 Leeds United Leeds United 1 - 4 Arsenal Leeds United 1 - 4 Arsenal Arsenal 2 - 3 Leeds United please log in to view this image Mangers Views: Arsene Wenger on Henry: Simon Grayson on Henry's return and facing Arsenal: My Team: please log in to view this image Final Score: please log in to view this image
[video=youtube;gBHD0BHxQPE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBHD0BHxQPE&context=C39acc3cADOEgsToPDskLYHFWevVaJakZbIcZ3ZSHF[/video]
Great thread mate . I'd go with (assuming no signings beforehand): --------------------------Lonergan Thompson----------Lees--------------O'Dea------------White -------------------Clayton-----------Brown Sam----------------------McCormack----------------------Townsend ---------------------------Becchio No point trying to play them at their own game, let Brown and Clayton get about them when they have the ball and attack quickly down the wings.
"I said before the game he was special, he is more than that, he is irreplaceble". Andy Gray with uncharacteristic foresight.
Why? The defence is not bad. We have Arteta in midfield and also Coquelin,who has been for me the best young player we have had this season and the Ox on the wing. Chamakh is the massive weak link but maybe RVP could get a place on the bench just in-case.
Not sure if he is allowed to play yet. We need to register him before Friday noon I think. Running out of time.
6 days ago, after the 4-1 defeat to Barnsley, most Leeds fans would have been very pessimistic about this game. With Snodgrass, Watt, Gradel, Howson and Johnson all having left or will be injured from the team that featured last season in this fixture, we're much weaker. However, the signing of Townsend has given us a much bigger threat down the wings, so we've got more of a chance than we would have. I reckon Arsenal will get the win here, simply because this Leeds team isn't particularly good, and we have our key players injured/off form. If Becchio can get back to his old self and Lonergran is on top form, with Townsend and White continuing where they left off against Burnley and McCormack confident after his goal, we have a chance of an upset. Looking forward to Henry vs. O'Dea...
The 1972 final was the first one i watched on a colour TV. My main concern about this game is Jonah Jack's attendance
Atleast I wont have to see that ****er Bender this year, I have never been disgraced about a players overall attitude and lack of ability as last season with him! Even Berbatov tried harder against us! Aidy white should handle Chamberlain with pace Not worried about Chamakh and if Becchio plays like he has all season cant see him scoring!
A mix of our reserves and youth should be able to beat Leeds. Give any player in or around the 1st team, a few days off.
