te Cesc Fabregas prevented Leeds creating a shock at the Emirates and sending Arsenal out of the FA Cup. It was a very tense second half after Leeds converted a spot kick of their own 9 minutes into the second half. Arsene Wengar as expected made changes to the side that drew with Man City in midweek as only Djourou and Song survived. Szczesny came in for Fabianski in goal while Eboue was in for the suspended Sagna. Rosicky came in as captain for Fabregas. Aaron Ramsey was back from injury and back from a loan spell with Nottingham Forest as he started on the bench, and reserve team captain Ignasi Miquel came in and also started on the bench. Meanwhile on the Leeds team sheet was Sanchez Watt who was allowed to play against his parent club as he was on loan from the Gunners. He was looking to put his own team out of the FA Cup.Leeds had an early chance to put themselves 1 up when Song gifted the ball to Becchio. He decided to go for a shot but it went harmlessly wide as Snodgrass was screaming at him for the ball to played to him.
10 minutes into the game Arshavin had a brilliant chance to give the Gunners the advantage. Rosicky looping the ball over to him who ran through on goal but took too many touches and Schmeichel made an easy save.
Leeds were not making it easy for Arsenal as Becchio had another chance but Szczesny got down well and got a hand to the ball to keep it out.
Arshavin then had another decent opportunity as Rosicky's ball was knocked down by Chamakh. The ball dropped to the Russian on the half volley but Schmeichel again kept the left footed strike out.
Arsenal then had a series of chances from a corner. Arshavin's ball flicked onto Squillaci who had two attempts cleared off the line by Jonny Howson. The ball was not properly cleared away though as the ball fell to Denilson who struck a shot from outside the box. Again the Danish keeper was at full stretch to keep the score at 0-0.
Arsenal were causing problems from corners for once. Arshavin's delivery finding the head of Chamakh who got in a massive leap but it was straight at Schmeichel again. A yard either side of the goalkeeper and it was 1-0.
The score at half time was 0-0.
9 minutes into the second half Leeds got a penalty after Denilson stupidly brought down Gradel. Snodgrass took the penalty and fired it home despite Szczesny getting a hand to it.
Walcott and Fabregas were brought on soon after.
Snodgrass then almost had another from a free kick. He bent it around the wall and just inches past the post, Szczesny was beaten. Luckily for the Arsenal goalkeeper it remained only at 1-0.
Arsenal were desperately trying to get back in the game and Bendtner had a chance at the near post. Walcott running down the wing and then supplying a low cross but the Dane could not get enough power on the shot and it was an easy save for the Leeds keeper.
With 4 minutes left Walcott got a chance for himself. Arshavin playing the ball through to him but he stuck his shot straight at the goal keeper and you wondered if the Gunners would ever get a goal.
Then Arsenal had an appeal for a penalty turned down. Walcott looked as though he had been caught by Alex Bruce but the referee said no and blew the whistle for offside on Bendtner.
Then with 1 minute remaining in the match Arsenal did get a penalty. Walcott again the man that was brought down but this time by Parker who had his arm around the England international. Fabregas stepped up and slotted the ball home comfortably past Schmeichel.
Arsenal then had two chances to win the game. The first one fell to Bendtner who put the ball wide. The next fell to Denilson just inside the box on the half volley but once again Kasper Schmeichel kept the Gunners out.
The final score ended Arsenal 1-1 Leeds.
The teams lineups:
Arsenal: Szczesny, Eboue, Djourou, Squillaci, Gibbs, Song(59), Denilson, Arshavin, Rosicky(79), Bendtner, Chamakh(68).
Subs: Fabianski, Clichy, Miquel, Ramsey, Fabregas(59), Walcott(68), Vela(79).
Leeds: Schmeichel, Connolly, Bruce, O'Brien, Gradel(90), Howson, Johnson, Parker, Snodgrass Becchio(85), Watt(76).
Subs: Collins, Paynter, Higgs, Hughes(90), Bromby(76), Somma(85), McCormack.
My man of the match: Johan Djourou
Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 59,520
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