Leeds exit after hard fought clash

A packed Elland Road entertained Arsenal as Leeds aimed to cause another cup shock. Simon Grayson made two enforced changes from his side that beat Scunthorpe, with Ben Parker and Billy Paynter coming in for cup tied George McCartney and injured Luciano Becchio (back). Arsene Wenger brought in Samir Nasri to bolster his starting eleven. He kept Fabregas, van Persie and Theo Walcott all on the bench.

There was no question of who was making the noise at Elland Road as the home fans raised the roof. The opening few minutes showed promising signs as Leeds poured forward and looked to take an early initiative. But a hammer blow came on 5 minutes after Nasri squirmed through the United back line, to slot past Kasper Schmeichel to make it 1-0 after their first attack of the game. This didn't silence the Leeds crowd, however it was a brutal blow as United now had to chase the game, the visitors passed the ball around nicely, and the early Leeds pressure seemed to have disintegrated.

Schmeichel was a man on a mission as he looked to keep United in the game. From an Arsenal corner he made a superb save flicking the ball dramatically off the line to deny Chamakh's header. Leeds had created little and they were punished once more just past the half hour. The ball was cleared from the United box only to fall to Bacary Sagna who was allowed to wander into the area to smash home Arsenal's second.

The Gunners were cruising but Grayson's valiant Leeds side weren't about to go down without a fight! Bradley Johnson was teed up by Jonny Howson and hammered home an unbelievable strike, it flew into the top corner, Elland Road erupted! Suddenly it was game on. From kick-off Arsenal started capitulating, Leeds showed promise and with the home fans behind them they went into half-time with a comeback on the cards.

Wenger's side started the brighter in the second-half. Alex Song broke through after 3 minutes but Schmeichel was on hand to make another great save. Mike Dean seemed to favour the Premier League outfit as his pedantic attitude frustrated Leeds' players. Leeds were attacking in numbers and knew they had nothing to lose. Billy Paynter should have made it 2-2 when he failed to turn in a low cross supplied by Gradel.

It was not Andrey Arshavin's night. The ball fell to him in the box, remarkable he cleared row Z putting the ball on the roof. Then he had a golden opportunity to make in 3 before a flying Scotsman in the presence of Robert Snodgrass came out of nowhere to deny the Russian.

Somma replaced Paynter on 68 minutes and he instantly had a chance when a Paul Connolly cross was sent high and wide by the South African. Leeds were troubling Arsenal, Wenger wasn't about to take any risks as he brought on van Persie and Cesc Fabregas to put Leeds out of reach. They made an immediate impact, Fabregas threaded through Bendtner who flighted a perfect cross for Robin van Persie who rounded off the game with 15 minutes left. The goal left a dejected Schmeichel sat in the goal. But once again the fans sang their praises for the men in white.

A series of decisions from Mike Dean got tempers bubbling over as Johnson, Howson and Snodgrass all picked up bookings. There was time for one more thrill as Kasper Schmeichel came up for late Leeds corner, he towered up and nearly got his head to the ball, but Arsenal were just to good on the night for Leeds.

Huddersfield await Arsenal in the fourth round and as for Leeds, this could be a blessing in disguise for Grayson's men as they plan for a competitive promotion push.

Att. 38,232

Leeds 1-3 Arsenal

Nasri 5 - Arsenal

Sagna 35 - Arsenal

Johnson 37 - Leeds

van Persie 74 - Arsenal