leedsunited.com 8/1/11
LATE LEVELLER DENIES UNITED ARSENAL SCALP
90th minute penalty ensures Gunners scrape draw...
ARSENAL 1 (Fabregas 90 pen), UNITED 1
(Snodgrass 54 pen)
United manager Simon Grayson shuffled his pack for the FA Cup third round clash at the Emirates with Alex Bruce returning in place of Neill Collins, and Sanchez Watt, on loan from Arsenal, coming in for a dream start against his parent club in place of Ross McCormack. Robert Snodgrass was handed the role of playing behind Luciano Becchio, a similar position to the one he occupied at Tottenham in the competition last season.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had also made changes to his side, but included in the starting XI were Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue, Tomas Rosicky, and Nicklas Bendtner.
United were backed by a sell-out following of 8,500, potentially the biggest turnout of visiting fans ever seen at the Emirates Stadium.
The away support ensured the game kicked off in a cracking atmosphere and United started brightly enough, Watt embarking on one good run and Becchio screwing a shot wide from distance.
Arsenal's reputation is for total football, and Alex Song and Rosicky sounded an early warning with some fantastic inter-play before the United defence cleared.
And Kasper Schmeichel was called upon to make his first save on 11 minutes when he spread himself well to deny Arshavin who was clean through on goal.
United also had a half-chance when Snodgrass robbed Rosicky and fed Becchio who, in a very similar position to that of Jermaine Beckford at Old Trafford last season, was denied by Wojciech Szczesny. Watt also lifted a shot over the top after cutting inside and it was a bright start by Leeds.
United's work-rate and determination had restricted Arsenal's usual fluent style, but when Rosicky escaped down the right and whipped in a great cross, it took some terrific defending from Andy O'Brien to deny Bendtner a free header.
Schmeichel also saved a grubber effort from Arshavin while Alex Bruce made a good intervention to cut out a cross as Arsenal started to look more like.
Moments before the half-hour, Jonny Howson cleared the ball off the line after an Arsenal corner and as the ball came back into the box, Schmeichel turned a Denilson shot around the post. O'Brien also did well to deny Bendtner space when the hosts threatened again.
Bruce was next to make a decisive intervention when he cut out an Arshavin pass which was destined to release Bendtner. Schmeichel had to save the resultant corner.
Leeds had another foray into the Arsenal half, but it was Bendtner who shot over the bar five minutes before the break after some considered build-up play by the Gunners.
Moments before half-time, Schmeichel again saved well from Bendtner at the near post after the Scandinavian cut inside from the right.
Arsenal also had the first raid of the second period when a Song cross was scrambled clear with Arshavin lurking. Bruce also headed a Bendtner cross for a corner when the Gunners threatened again.
United were defended well and after looking to hit the home side on the break, Max Gradel won a penalty when Denilson brought him down inside the area. Snodgrass stepped up to take the spot-kick, and after tucking the ball beneath Szczesny, the Scot, his team-mates, and 8,500 Leeds fans went wild.
The celebrations were something to behold and Leeds chants echoed around the stadium as the fans celebrated the unexpected boost.
Within five minutes, Wenger introduced Cesc Fabregas with his side suddenly chasing the game. And O'Brien got a vital touch when Marquane Chakmah had a good headed opportunity in front of goal for the home side.
But it wasn't all one way. Szczesny had to turn an inswinging cross from Bradley Johnson over his own bar and from the resultant corner, the Polish goalkeeper made a great save to keep out a Becchio header.
With just over 22 minutes left on the clock, Wenger made his second change, Theo Walcott joining the fray in place of Chamakh.
United were defending in numbers, and the hosts were clearly becoming more and more frustrated as passes went astray and bodies were put in the way.
Given the work ethic, Leeds were looking good value for the lead, and Snodgrass came within a whisker of adding a second goal on 72 minutes when he curled a free-kick just wide of the upright.
As the game headed into the final quarter-hour Grayson introduced Leigh Bromby - in place of Watt - to increase United's defensive options.
Arsenal's final change came on 79 minutes when Carlos Vela replaced Rosicky. The hosts were becoming more restricted, although Arshavin did head a Fabregas free-kick over the bar. O'Brien also made another important clearance, as the Gunners prepared to throw everything at Leeds for the final 10 minutes.
When Kieran Gibbs found space down the left his cross was too close to Schmeichel and the Leeds goalkeeper gathered with ease. He also collected a stabbed effort from Bendtner after Walcott supplied a decent cross.
Again, United were still a threat though and Becchio was denied by some good defending after great work by Gradel.
That was Becchio's last taste of the action with Davide Somma stepping off the bench for the final five minutes.
As the clock ticked down, Schmeichel stood up well to save from Walcott, who struck a first time effort, and moments later, the hosts were denied a loud penalty appeal due to an offside flag.
With 90 seconds of normal time left, they were handed a penalty though. Walcott was hauled back by Parker when in pursuit of a ball from Bendtner and referee Phil Dowd pointed to the spot. Fabregas stepped up and slotted home, straight down the middle, to earn the hosts a fortunate escape.
It was a cruel blow for United, who had defended superbly and were on the verge of being rewarded with another great scalp after another heroic FA Cup performance.
In stoppage time, the Gunners had a chance to win the game, but Bendtner screwed a shot wide when he should have at least tested Schmeichel. The Dane also made a stunning save to palm a Denilson shot around the post.
Walcott also rapped the side-netting from a tight angle as Arsenal laid seige during injury time, but United held firm to earn a more than deserved draw.
LATE LEVELLER DENIES UNITED ARSENAL SCALP
90th minute penalty ensures Gunners scrape draw...
ARSENAL 1 (Fabregas 90 pen), UNITED 1
(Snodgrass 54 pen)United manager Simon Grayson shuffled his pack for the FA Cup third round clash at the Emirates with Alex Bruce returning in place of Neill Collins, and Sanchez Watt, on loan from Arsenal, coming in for a dream start against his parent club in place of Ross McCormack. Robert Snodgrass was handed the role of playing behind Luciano Becchio, a similar position to the one he occupied at Tottenham in the competition last season.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had also made changes to his side, but included in the starting XI were Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue, Tomas Rosicky, and Nicklas Bendtner.
United were backed by a sell-out following of 8,500, potentially the biggest turnout of visiting fans ever seen at the Emirates Stadium.
The away support ensured the game kicked off in a cracking atmosphere and United started brightly enough, Watt embarking on one good run and Becchio screwing a shot wide from distance.
Arsenal's reputation is for total football, and Alex Song and Rosicky sounded an early warning with some fantastic inter-play before the United defence cleared.
And Kasper Schmeichel was called upon to make his first save on 11 minutes when he spread himself well to deny Arshavin who was clean through on goal.
United also had a half-chance when Snodgrass robbed Rosicky and fed Becchio who, in a very similar position to that of Jermaine Beckford at Old Trafford last season, was denied by Wojciech Szczesny. Watt also lifted a shot over the top after cutting inside and it was a bright start by Leeds.
United's work-rate and determination had restricted Arsenal's usual fluent style, but when Rosicky escaped down the right and whipped in a great cross, it took some terrific defending from Andy O'Brien to deny Bendtner a free header.
Schmeichel also saved a grubber effort from Arshavin while Alex Bruce made a good intervention to cut out a cross as Arsenal started to look more like.
Moments before the half-hour, Jonny Howson cleared the ball off the line after an Arsenal corner and as the ball came back into the box, Schmeichel turned a Denilson shot around the post. O'Brien also did well to deny Bendtner space when the hosts threatened again.
Bruce was next to make a decisive intervention when he cut out an Arshavin pass which was destined to release Bendtner. Schmeichel had to save the resultant corner.
Leeds had another foray into the Arsenal half, but it was Bendtner who shot over the bar five minutes before the break after some considered build-up play by the Gunners.
Moments before half-time, Schmeichel again saved well from Bendtner at the near post after the Scandinavian cut inside from the right.
Arsenal also had the first raid of the second period when a Song cross was scrambled clear with Arshavin lurking. Bruce also headed a Bendtner cross for a corner when the Gunners threatened again.
United were defended well and after looking to hit the home side on the break, Max Gradel won a penalty when Denilson brought him down inside the area. Snodgrass stepped up to take the spot-kick, and after tucking the ball beneath Szczesny, the Scot, his team-mates, and 8,500 Leeds fans went wild.
The celebrations were something to behold and Leeds chants echoed around the stadium as the fans celebrated the unexpected boost.
Within five minutes, Wenger introduced Cesc Fabregas with his side suddenly chasing the game. And O'Brien got a vital touch when Marquane Chakmah had a good headed opportunity in front of goal for the home side.
But it wasn't all one way. Szczesny had to turn an inswinging cross from Bradley Johnson over his own bar and from the resultant corner, the Polish goalkeeper made a great save to keep out a Becchio header.
With just over 22 minutes left on the clock, Wenger made his second change, Theo Walcott joining the fray in place of Chamakh.
United were defending in numbers, and the hosts were clearly becoming more and more frustrated as passes went astray and bodies were put in the way.
Given the work ethic, Leeds were looking good value for the lead, and Snodgrass came within a whisker of adding a second goal on 72 minutes when he curled a free-kick just wide of the upright.
As the game headed into the final quarter-hour Grayson introduced Leigh Bromby - in place of Watt - to increase United's defensive options.
Arsenal's final change came on 79 minutes when Carlos Vela replaced Rosicky. The hosts were becoming more restricted, although Arshavin did head a Fabregas free-kick over the bar. O'Brien also made another important clearance, as the Gunners prepared to throw everything at Leeds for the final 10 minutes.
When Kieran Gibbs found space down the left his cross was too close to Schmeichel and the Leeds goalkeeper gathered with ease. He also collected a stabbed effort from Bendtner after Walcott supplied a decent cross.
Again, United were still a threat though and Becchio was denied by some good defending after great work by Gradel.
That was Becchio's last taste of the action with Davide Somma stepping off the bench for the final five minutes.
As the clock ticked down, Schmeichel stood up well to save from Walcott, who struck a first time effort, and moments later, the hosts were denied a loud penalty appeal due to an offside flag.
With 90 seconds of normal time left, they were handed a penalty though. Walcott was hauled back by Parker when in pursuit of a ball from Bendtner and referee Phil Dowd pointed to the spot. Fabregas stepped up and slotted home, straight down the middle, to earn the hosts a fortunate escape.
It was a cruel blow for United, who had defended superbly and were on the verge of being rewarded with another great scalp after another heroic FA Cup performance.
In stoppage time, the Gunners had a chance to win the game, but Bendtner screwed a shot wide when he should have at least tested Schmeichel. The Dane also made a stunning save to palm a Denilson shot around the post.
Walcott also rapped the side-netting from a tight angle as Arsenal laid seige during injury time, but United held firm to earn a more than deserved draw.