FA Cup : Manchester United 2 - 0 Arsenal - Match Report

Arsenal bowed out of the FA Cup after a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday evening.

Arsène Wenger’s side had been criticised for a backfoot display in their Champions League exit at Barcelona in midweek. But this Sixth Round tie was very different.

Arsenal had the majority of possession and nearly twice the number of shots on target as their opponents but were found wanting in the key moments.

They came just before the half-hour when Fabio thumped home after Manuel Almunia palmed a header from Javier Hernandez into his path. Then, four minutes after the restart, Wayne Rooney guided home a header from close range.

The second goal came straight after a wonderful save by Edwin van der Sar from Laurent Koscielny. The two events were a microcosm of this encounter.

The Dutch keeper frustrated Arsenal with a number of saves in the second half and rightly had the home supporters singing his name late on.

The only brightside for Arsenal was the return of Aaron Ramsey into the first-team after his broken leg. However the visitors ended with 10 men on the pitch as, after all their substitutions were made, Johan Djourou was stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder. His season is over.

So a hard week ended in teak-tough fashion for Arsenal. Again they might feel ‘overpunished’ for their sins.

The past few days have cost them two competitions. But, despite it all, the Premier League title is still very much in their hands.

Roll on next week.

Wenger had promised to play the best side available. This was it, albeit there were changes after the travails at Barcelona on Tuesday.

Wojciech Szcesney (finger) and Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) were enforced omissions. Almunia and Denilson replaced them. Gael Clichy and Tomas Rosicky were left on the bench so Kieran Gibbs and Andrey Arshavin came in.

Manchester United have their own Champions League tie next week and that clearly coloured the team selection of Sir Alex Ferguson. He put Hernandez and Rooney up front but his midfield was packed with players normally seen in defence.

In December, Manchester United had won the Premier League between the two sides thanks a safety-first approach. Clearly the plan was more of the same this afternoon.

Certainly, the visitors would dominate possession in the first half but, tellingly, the two key chances would go to Manchester United.

The game took time to settle. Arsenal were the more comfortable early on. They sprayed the ball around nicely and threw in a number of crosses but had only Arshavin’s drive wide to show for it.

As Manchester United gradually found their feet, they began making chances. The best came after 15 minutes.

Fabio crossed from the left and an unmarked Rafael powered his header over the bar from six-yards. A huge let-off for Arsenal.

Wenger’s men responded with poise and patient build-up but they could not force their way through Manchester United’s ‘two banks of four’.

And conceding a goal in the 28th minute only made the situation worse.

Rooney clipped the ball to the far post where Hernandez had ghosted away from Djourou. The Mexican’s header was downward, powerful and to the right of Almunia. The keeper got a strong hand to the ball but only palmed it into the path of Fabio, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net.

The goal sparked more incisiveness from Arsenal. Four minutes later, Nasri fed Robin van Persie in the right-hand channel. The Dutchman turned Vidic and fired right-footed towards the far post. Van der Sar fingertipped the ball for a corner. Nasri took it and Van Persie powered a header just wide.

In injury time, the striker fed Nasri on the left. The Frenchman darted inside his marker and fired low towards the near post. Van der Sar again bent low to save.

At the break, Arsenal were in an unenviable position – chasing the game at Old Trafford against a Manchester United set up to stop them.

The first four minutes after the restart would decide the tie. Koscielny, up from defence, exchanged passes with Arshavin on the edge of the area. The Frenchman's cross was deflected towards Van der Sar’s leg but the keeper kicked it away.

The ball returned to the feet of Koscielny but this time the Dutch keeper made a wonderful gymnastic save.

It was Arsenal’s best chance of the game but it was one for which they would be punished.

Rafael ghosted past Gibbs on the right of the area and Djourou hurriedly stopped Hernandez turning the ball home. However, his clearance looped up invitingly for Rooney to steer a header into the far corner of the net.

Arsenal were already chasing the game. Now it was a hot pursuit. In the 56th minute, Nasri bounced a powerful shot towards goal. Typical of their fortune this afternoon, it flew straight at Van der Sar.

The visitors were now pushing forward but, of course, that gave Manchester United space to break. And Ferguson could now bring on experience. Antonio Valencia arrived at the interval, Ryan Giggs followed him on the hour.

Almost immediately, the Welshman could have sealed the tie. But he dallied too long with the goal gaping six yards out and Jack Wilshere, who was excellent throughout, stole the ball from his foot.

Arsenal’s substitute, Marouane Chamakh, tested Van der Sar from range but Rooney replied by firing into the sidenetting.

With 19 minutes left, Wenger gambled. Abou Diaby and Arshavin came off. Rosicky and, for the first time since February 2010, Ramsey were introduced.

Chamakh should have brought Arsenal back into the tie in the 76th minute when Sagna’s hanging cross found him at the far post. But Van der Sar clawed away his header.

The keeper was having an inspired game and seconds later he batted away Rosicky’s thunderous drive.

However, 10 minutes from time, it would be Almunia’s turn. The Spaniard clawed away Hernandez wonderfully but, in the goalmouth melee, Djourou had been bundled over by the backtracking Sagna.

The Swiss defender went down and did not get up. He was stretchered off holding his shoulder.

That ended Arsenal’s efforts. It had been hard enough with 11 men let alone 10.

Almunia saved late on from Hernandez and the home fans went home happy.

The visiting supporters must have been downhearted but they did not show it.

Their support was magnificent this evening. The team will need them if they are to recover from this defeat.

But both of them know a major trophy is still possible for Arsenal this season.

FA Cup : Manchester United Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsène Wenger described it as “a little disappointment”.
Certainly the visiting team were swept away by a marauding, vibrant outfit who seemed to attack with ease. The defeat was a huge blow and could have a lasting effect on the rest of their campaign even though they still have much to play for.

Yes, Manchester United were well-beaten at Liverpool last Sunday.
Dirk Kuyt’s hat-trick not only opened up the title race once more, it also instilled the Anfield side with a sense of re-birth at the hands of a fierce local rival.

Arsenal can empathise. Losing to Barcelona – whatever the balance of play, whatever the officiating - is one thing. Seeing Tottenham go one stage further in the Champions League is an entirely new and deeply uncomfortable feeling.

So both both protagonists come in to Saturday’s FA Cup Sixth Round tie at Old Trafford with fresh wounds. These are not scars - that suggests the pain has gone and only the mark remains – these feelings are red raw. Neither Arsenal nor Manchester United will see their season ended by defeat this weekend but it will be another weighty blow from which, some say, they may struggle to recover.

Wenger rarely feeds the hype-monster ahead of big games but he admitted that his side “need this one”.
It is certainly a massive moment in the season. These two old sparring partners are entering the final few rounds of a long title fight. Both have been to the canvas recently but, having risen to their feet once more, it is just a matter of how much they have left.

One of these weary competitors seem sure to have their hand raised at the end of the Premier League campaign. Saturday’s winners will be favourites for the FA Cup aswell given the number of big names who have already been knocked out.

“I think at the moment the two teams have had a little disappointment recently,” said Wenger. “So it’s still the one who deals with that the best with who can come out on top.
"Man United have lost two games, we just lost two as well, so how well we cope with it all will be vital certainly.”

As ever, much has been made of the relationship between the two managers. For the best part of a decade around the Millennium, this was THE Premier League battle. That is why this season’s title battle has a mouthwatering history to it and, for many, Saturday will hand the winner a psychological edge. But, as usual, Wenger brushed aside the dugout debate.

“It’s like when they asked Cesc the other night ‘what does it feel to play against Barcelona?’” remarked the manager. “When you are a football player you want to win. Ferguson will want to win the game, I will want to win the game.
“At the moment my worries are not my relationship with Ferguson. My real problem is to get the team back with positive vibes. And for us the game on Saturday on that front is important because it can put us in the Semi-Final of the FA Cup.”

But mentioning that history did prompt the Arsenal manager in to a minute or two of reminiscence.
“My fondest memory? When we won the title in 2002 because it was the final [stage],” said Wenger. “The biggest disappointment was the 50th unbeaten game, when we lost under special circumstances.
“The win in ’98 was a good moment but we had some bad ones too - we lost 6-1 one Saturday morning I remember.”

And what about the FA Cup Semi-Final defeat at Villa Park in 1999 when Ryan Giggs fired an unlikely winner from ten-man Manchester United over the head of David Seaman at the near post.
“Yes that was unbelievable,” remembered Wenger. “It was a replay and we had a penalty from Bergkamp in the last second to win it. After [that miss] he never took a penalty again.”

Fabregas is out for a couple of games after suffering a slight recurrence of his hamstring injury at Barcelona. But Robin van Persie, who defied the odds to comeback early for the Nou Camp game, is available.
Wojciech Szczesny dislocated his finger at Barcelona and is out for at least six weeks so Manuel Almunia continues in goal. With Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) out for the season, James Shea, 19, will be on the bench. After the game Wenger will concentrate on bringing in an experienced keeper on emergency loan.
Alex Song (knee) and Theo Walcott (ankle) are still missing.

Manchester United have been stuttering of late, losing their last two games – at Chelsea and Liverpool. If Arsenal can win on Saturday it would be the first time Ferguson’s side has been beaten three times in a row since May 2001 but even then they had already clinched the title.

There may be a perceptible weakness away from home but, at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s record is magnificent. It is P14 W13 D1 L0 in the Premier League including a cagey but competent 1-0 win over Arsenal in December. The visitors did well back then but the home side grabbed a goal, Ji-Sung Park’s third in his last three starts against Wenger’s side, and then focused on retaining their advantage.

“They play always against us with a very tight midfield and try to put pressure on us from there,” said Wenger. “That night they had only Rooney up front, so I think they set up against us to defend well.

“I wouldn’t say they are scared [of us]. They have no reason to be scared because they have enough experience. But they always have a little bit of a realistic approach of the game.”
And it has served them well.

In their last six games up there, Arsenal have lost five and drawn once and that came when a nervous Manchester United were trying to clinch the title in 2009.
They are scary statistics but the perception this season is that Wenger’s men are a little stronger and Ferguson’s a little weaker.
 
 Not that weak though.
“They are still very efficient at the back,” said Wenger. “At home they score more goals than before. They are still a dangerous side, you feel always when they get in the final third they can score goals.”
Depending on your viewpoint, those defeats to Birmingham and Barcelona have left Arsenal’s season half-full or half-empty.

But, given that over-quoted statistic about the length of time without a trophy, isn’t any silverware an achievement for Wenger’s side right now?

The Premier League is a priority but the FA Cup is an end in itself.
Manchester United have their own Champions League second leg at home to Marseilles next Wednesday but they also have a habit of finding a way to win when they play Arsenal.
For once, Wenger’s side simply have to block their path.

Van Persie fit to face Manchester United

Arsène Wenger has revealed mixed injury news ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup game with Manchester United - Robin van Persie is fit, Cesc Fabregas is not.

The Dutchman was a surprise inclusion in the squad that travelled to Barcelona on Monday and ended up playing 55 minutes at the Nou Camp the next day before his controversial sending off.

At his pre-match media briefing on Thursday, Wenger revealed Van Persie suffered no ill-effects of the knee injury he picked up in the act of scoring in the Carling Cup Final and will be available for the trip to Old Trafford.

But the manager admitted he will be without Fabregas for the Quarter-Final clash and said his captain could also miss next weekend’s Premier League game against West Brom.

“Van Persie will be available for Saturday,” said Wenger.

“[Fabregas], no. He had a recurrence of his hamstring problem and he will be out for the next game. Maybe for the next two games.

“He is, of course, very disappointed because it is becoming a little problem for him to [keep] having a recurrence of his hamstring. But it’s a very superficial one.”

Theo Walcott (ankle), Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Alex Song (knee) remain out.

FA Cup : Arsenal 5 - 0 Leyton Orient - Match Report

Nicklas Bendtner fired a hat-trick as Arsenal brushed aside Leyton Orient to set up a mouthwatering FA Cup Quarter-Final tie with Manchester United.

Arsène Wenger’s challenge for the Carling Cup may have ended in disappointing fashion but they are alive and kicking in England’s other knockout competition.

A Bendtner brace and Marouane Chamakh’s first goal since November put the home side in control in the first half. The Dane completed the second treble of his Arsenal career from the penalty spot on the hour. Then, 15 minutes from time, Gael Clichy fired home only his second goal in 255 games for the Club.

It was nothing more than we expected but, all the same, it was welcome catharsis after Sunday.

Arsenal have massive games with Sunderland and Barcelona in the next seven days. Games which, like last Sunday, could shape their season.

After tonight, they are clearly on the way back.

Having debuted Ignasi Miguel in the game at Brisbane Road, Wenger chose to give Conor Henderson a bow in the return game this evening.

The 19-year-old is a former Irish youth international and a current Reserve team regular. He took his place on the left of midfield.

In fact there were only three changes from the game at Brisbane Road. Henderson for Andrey Arshavin and Emmanuel Eboue for Bacary Sagna. Meanwhile Alex Song dropped out and Abou Diaby returned after a month out through suspension and a calf injury.

Ignasi reprised his role alongside Sebastien Squillaci at centre back. Tomas Rosicky was the only survivor from Wembley at the weekend.

In the first game, Leyton Orient, like Birmingham, had caught Arsenal late.

But in the circumstances this replay was welcome. After Sunday, Wenger’s men needed to get themselves going again as soon as possible. Manchester United’s defeat at Chelsea the previous night had put them back in control of their title bid once more. And, of course, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side also lay in wait in the last eight.

It was a bitterly cold North London night but Arsenal’s start was sparky and they quickly put themselves in front. Diaby’s early drive was charged down then, in the seventh minute, Rosicky raced to the byline and cut the ball back for Chamakh to sweep home a shot.

It was the Moroccan’s first goal since the Premier League trip to Aston Villa on November 27.

Orient responded with all the valour we had seen in the first game. Ben Chorley’s shot hit team-mate Scott McGleish in a crowded area and deflected over the bar. Then Alex Revell steered a shot wide at the near post.

Russell Slade’s side had lost only one game in four months - and you could tell why. Committed and organised, they made it hard for Arsenal, who seemed happy to soak up the visitors’ energy and make their quality tell when they could.

And, on the half-hour, they did.

Kieran Gibbs whipped in a cross to the far side of the six-yard box where Bendtner looped a header back across goal and beyond the outstretched hands of Orient keeper Jamie Jones.

Arsenal were in control. Now they just had to keep it that way in order to reach the last eight.

Meanwhile that second goal seemed to deflate Orient and a little slackness would gift the home side a third on the stroke of half-time. The visitors took a throw to Thomas Carroll on the right but he was robbed by Rosicky. The midfielder’s prod fell to Bendtner, who cut inside and blasted his cross-shot beyond Jones.

It appeared that game was now beyond his team aswell.

Within five minutes of the restart, Denilson had thumped a long shot into the chest of Jones then Diaby played a one-two with Chamakh but dragged his shot just beyond the far post.

Orient tried to respond but, on the hour, it was 4-0. Gibbs weaved inside Andrew Whing but was hauled down by Revell. Bendtner fired home his hat-trick goal from the spot.

The goal allowed Wenger to make a change. Rosicky had been brought down before the penalty incident. After it, he walked gingerly round the pitch and down the tunnel. Samir Nasri came on.

Shortly afterwards, the manager replaced Diaby and Bendtner with Jack Wilshere and Clichy.

Sixteen minutes from time, the latter would plunder a fifth. Eboue's cross was dummied by Chamakh and Clichy rifled home. It was his first goal since November 2008.

From there, Arsenal hit the button marked ‘cruise control’. Orient went close in injury time when Dean Cox thundered a shot just wide but Wilshere and Nasri spurned similar efforts in the dying minutes.

This was just what Arsenal needed. A safe, controlled victory in which the goals will have bred confidence as much as the clean-sheet at the back.

Now they must build again on this foundation.

FA Cup : Leyton Orient Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

Barcelona to Brisbane Road. With every respect to Leyton Orient, it is one hell of a leap.

Arsenal have to travel precisely 5.7 miles across London on Sunday for this feisty-looking FA Cup Fifth Round tie. If their minds are still full of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi rather than McGleish, Revell and Dawson then much of that good work in midweek will be left tainted.

Cup shocks are a two-headed coin – complacency on one side, commitment on the other - and certainly the ingredients are all there this weekend.

Arsène Wenger has never lost to lower League opposition in 25 ties over 15 years at Arsenal. Part of the secret is respect for and research on your opponent. He was knee-deep in the latter when he spoke to the media on Friday lunchtime.

"We always try to prepare properly,” he said. “That gives you a guarantee to be at a certain level but, of course, it does not guarantee that you qualify.

"This is the charm of the game. To be successful in the end, you need to go through in these kinds of matches. It is a mental test of how much we want to win. If you want to win, you have to play well at Orient.

“We have had reports of their games and we watched them a little bit against MK Dons. They have a good left back and they have a striker who looks dangerous, Alex Revell. So you see we always look after our opponent.

“To be fair I have had no time [since Barcelona to find out about Orient]. We watched 30 minutes of the first half against MK Dons and I will watch the rest this afternoon.”

Incredibly, Johan Djourou was ruled out on Thursday but will now start if fit. Sebastien Squillaci will certainly return, Bacary Sagna is back from his ban but Abou Diaby’s suspension continues.

"Djourou has a test on Saturday,” said Wenger. “I will play Squillaci and then will see about whether to play Laurent Koscielny or Johan Djourou. Koscielny finished quite exhausted so if I have the choice I will choose Djourou."

With a crucial Premier League game on Wednesday and the Carling Cup Final next Sunday, the manager added that he would certainly shuffle his side. The question is, to what extent.

Arsenal have just started a spell of five games inside 17 crucial days. If they draw against Orient the replay will make it six.

By the end of that period, they could have won their first trophy in six years and pulled off arguably their greatest ever European victory. There are also a couple of Premier League games too – drop anything significant in those and Manchester United may be out of reach.

It is the most significant phase of the season since… well… the last really significant one. That is not to be flippant about the next fortnight or so but, in reality, we hope it is merely a gateway to greater things.

On Friday, Wenger too rallied against the hyperbola.

“It is an important period but, no matter what happens in the next two weeks, we can only think about the next game,” he said. “That is the best way to approach it because we want to win all four games.

“I am never looking backwards and never too far forward. The result of the next game can influence things. If you have a big disappointment, it will affect all the other games. You gain confidence slowly but lose it quickly. So to keep it high it is important to take care of the next game."

Leyton Orient have hovered just above the dropzone in League One for most of this season but their 2011 form has lifted them within sight of the Play-Offs. Russell Slade’s side are unbeaten in their last 11 games and have not lost at Brisbane Road since September. They won at Norwich in the Third Round and at Swansea in the Fourth Round to reach the last 16 for the first time in 29 years.

Though near neighbours, the teams have met just ten times. Orient’s last victories came in 1913 and 1915, the last meeting came in the FA Cup Semi-Final of 1978 when a brace from Malcolm MacDonald helped secure a 3-0 win for Terry Neill’s team.

“I have been to Orient,” recalled Wenger. “We played a friendly with Arsenal there in a pre-season game. Currently they have Ben Chorley, a former Arsenal player and Jason Crowe who played here when I arrived first.

“They have a side on a good run at the moment so they are dangerous for us. Believe me, I have no doubt they will be up for it.

"There is history in England no matter where you go. No matter what happened before we will want to go there and win the game. We are on a very strong run and everybody will watch the game with a lot of interest. We will see how much Leyton Orient can do against us.”

Surely that depends on what Arsenal do themselves.

FA Cup : Arsenal 2 - 1 Huddersfield Town - Match Report

Once again, a late spot-kick from Cesc Fabregas proved to be Arsenal’s salvation in the FA Cup on Sunday.

In the Third Round, the Spaniard came off the bench to slot home a last-gasp equaliser from 12 yards against Leeds. This afternoon, the captain saw off Huddersfield with a penalty four minutes from time.

Suffice to say, it was a huge relief for everyone - bar the 9,000 visiting fans - at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal had started well and deservedly took the lead through Nicklas Bendtner’s deflected drive midway through the first half. But Huddersfield defied the 45 places that separated the two sides in the ladder of English football. They pressured the home team and, after Sebastien Squillaci had been dismissed for hauling down Jack Hunt, fully merited Alan Lee’s leveller in the 66th minute.
That Fabregas finale was a blessed relief. After a historically busy January, the last thing Arsenal needed was another replay.

Their Sunday was also blighted by a hamstring injury to Samir Nasri.

But at least they are through in the FA Cup. 

It was a day of comebacks for Arsenal. Manuel Almunia started his first game since the 3-2 defeat to West Brom just over four months ago. The Spaniard had been sidelined by an elbow injury and then, just as he was about the return, he had badly damaged his ankle.

Abou Diaby was also back for his first game since the 2-2 draw at Wigan on December 29. He had been suffering from a calf injury. Squillaci, returning himself from a hamstring problem, had scored a late own goal at the DW Stadium that night. He had only played one game since then – the Third Round tie against Leeds. In addition, Tomas Rosicky was back after three weeks out with sickness but he only made the bench.

This was Arsenal’s ninth game in January - a club record – so the remainder of Wenger’s changes were the usual ‘shuffling’.

Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs and Marouane Chamakh all returned after starting as substitutes against Ipswich in midweek. Bacary Sagna was missing after collecting a head injury during that game but Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Wojciech Szczesny and Jack Wilshere were available yet left on the bench. Gael Clichy and Johan Djourou were omitted entirely.

Huddersfield were without Benik Afobe. Unlike Sanchez Watt in the last round, the on-loan Arsenal striker was not eligible play. The Yorkshire side filled their ticket allocation at Emirates Stadium. In recent weeks, that sort of support had become a regular and welcome sight in North London.

Arsenal had been lethargic against Leeds in the Third Round tie at the start of the month. But they started much better this afternoon.

After three minutes Arshavin hacked a shot over the bar having been set up but Bendtner’s persistence.

In the 12th minute, the Russian returned the favour but the Dane bundled it wide from close range.

Arsenal were attacking at will with Arshavin getting on the end of most of the good work. However, by Wenger’s own admission, the 29-year-old is not at his sharpest right now.
In the 20th minute, Nasri’s chipped a cross-field pass to Bendtner on the right of the area. He hung out a lame leg and dribbled a shot at keeper Ian Bennett. It drew the derision of the visiting fans.

A minute later, Bendtner cupped his ear to the same supporters in celebration after controlling a similar pass from the Frenchman and firing home. However he did receive a helpful deflection from the sliding Peter Clarke.

Huddersfield had conceded an early goal, usually a nightmare scenario at Emirates, but they were never going to lie down today.

Almost immediately, Anthony Pilkington fired over a dangerous low cross from the right and Lee just failed to add the finishing touch at the near post.

Then, just before the half-hour, Denilson handed the ball straight to Lee who fed Pilkington on the right once more. His low shot flashed across the area and just beyond the far post.

It was proper pressure alright but Arsenal still had all the class. Arshavin shoveled a backheel into the path of Bendtner whose angled drive was smothered messily at the near post by Bennett.

Then, the home side suffered a blow. Nasri pulled up under no pressure holding his hamstring and immediately called for attention. He was replaced by Rosicky – numerically and as captain -  before going down the tunnel immediately. With big games coming up in the next month, it was a worrying sign.

The Frenchman’s departure seemed to affect Arsenal and they nearly conceded twice before half-time. First, Pilkington ghosted in and headed wide from Joey Gudjonsson’s cross then the Icelander drifted a cross just wide.

Then three minutes from the whistle Arsenal were hit by another blow. Hunt burst through and was bundled over by Squillaci. The Frenchman was the last man and referee Mark Clattenburg had little option but to administer a red card.

It was Arsenal’s seventh dismissal of the season but Squillaci’s first in five years.

Denilson covered the centre back role until the break but that was never a longer-term option.

With Djourou missing, Song was the only solution on the bench. The issue was which player made way. In the end, Chamakh got ‘hooked’ at half-time.

But it was now a different game.

Yes, Arshavin drove a shot into the sidenetting in the opening seconds however Huddersfield dominated the third quarter of the game. They smelt weakness in Arsenal and went for the jugular.

In the 55th minute, Arshavin tracked back and got a crucial toe-poke to the ball as Gudjonsson seemed set to score.

Then Jamie McCombe and Lee went perilously close with headers - the second of which brushed the post.

Almunia made a brilliant save from the latter on the hour; clawing the ball from behind him like David Seaman had down so famously against Sheffield United in the Semi-Final eight years ago.

But Huddersfield had built up a head of steam now and a goal seemed be coming.

It arrived in the 66th minute when Lee thundered home a header from Pilkington’s corner.

Wenger’s response was to bring on Fabregas for Diaby. Arsenal’s response was to go close twice. First, Koscielny’s drive was blocked and, when the ball was returned, Bendtner nodded inches over the bar.

The Dane cracked a drive over shortly afterwards – as did Arshavin. It seemed that Arsenal had steadied themselves.

With 10 minutes left, Denilson pulled up in similar fashion to Nasri. With all their substitutes made, Arsenal would have been left with nine men if the Brazilian was forced off.

After treatment he hobbled on but did not seem to be 100 per cent right.

Strangely, Huddersfield had taken their foot off the gas after their goal and allowed Arsenal back into the tie.

Four minutes from time, they were made to regret it when Bendtner appeared to be hauled down by McCombe and Fabregas steered home the penalty.

In the final stages, the captain was happy to hold the ball in the corner and kill time. Meanwhile the home fans applauded Huddersfield off the pitch.

They had pushed Arsenal to the limit this afternoon and a side with less mental fortitude would have buckled.

But Wenger’s men are better than that this term.

FA Cup : Leeds United 1 - 3 Arsenal - Match Report

Arsenal marched in the FA Cup Fourth Round with a comprehensive 3-1 win at Leeds on Wednesday night.

Arsène Wenger’s side had needed a 90th-minute penalty to save this tie at Emirates Stadium 11 days earlier but, this evening, they dominated throughout.

Samir Nasri stole a goal in the fifth minute and then, after Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh had missed point-blank chances, Bacary Sagna plundered a second just past the half-hour.

Leeds rallied immediately when Bradley Johnson’s thunderbolt reduced the arrears but Arsenal would kick-on after the break.

Fourteen minutes from time, they ended the discussion when Robin van Persie headed home from Nicklas Bendtner’s inviting cross.

Arsenal had been a little lucky in north London, tonight Leeds were fortunate the visitors were so profligate in front for goal.

Still, they got the job done and can now look forward to a Fourth Round tie against Huddersfield at Emirates Stadium on January 30.

This is a busy month for Arsenal and so Wenger’s side did its usual shuffle.

Bendtner, Chamakh, Kieran Gibbs, Denilson, Arshavin and Sagna all came in.

Cesc Fabregas, Van Persie, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue all dropped out.

This game was a throw-back. Arsenal had been involved in some teak-tough encounters at Elland Road in the 90s and Noughties. Since then Leeds had been down to the third tier of English football but, if their performance in the first game was anything to go by, they were on the way back to the top flight.

Wenger had admitted his side had lacked focus in that match. But this evening it was different straight from the start.

Arsenal bossed the first half and the only concern at the break was that they had not gained the advantage they deserved.

The game had barely settled down when they took the lead. In the fifth minute, Arshavin tucked the ball inside from the left, Bendtner tried to collect on the edge of the area but Nasri swept it away, danced past the final defender before coolly slotting home.

Six minutes later it should have been 2-0. Sagna was hauled down on the right by Ben Parker and Nasri swung over the free-kick. Chamakh had escaped his marker six yards out and made solid contact with his header. However Kasper Schmeichel made a wonderful one-handed save. The keeper then recovered to block Johan Djourou’s follow up.

It was starting to become an Arsenal procession. In the 19th minute, Bendtner fed Chamakh on the edge of the area. He and Nasri played one-touch passes for Arshavin to sidefoot a shot over the bar

Then Chamakh fired a low ball across the face of the area. Arshavin timed his run perfectly to meet the cross. Any positive touch would have doubled Arsenal’s lead but the Russian’s effort was timid.

A couple of minutes later, Arshavin’s drive from distance forced Schmeichel into a low save away to his left. After that, Laurent Koscielny sent a raking ball into the right-hand channel for Sagna to collect. He raced into the area and crossed low for Bendtner but the Dane timed his slide a second too late.

Arsenal were not just creating clear-cut chances, they were creating tap-ins. By the half-hour, they had already manufactured the opportunities to put the tie to bed. But they only had one goal to show for it.

That changed in the 34th minute, Bendtner thundered through and exchanged passes with Nasri on the edge of the area but miscontrolled the return. Andy O’Brien’s clearance fell straight to Sagna on the right. He advanced and fired a rocket shot into the far corner of the net.

It should have all but killed off Leeds but, almost immediately, the home side would respond with a Howitzer of their own. There was little on when the ball fell to Johnson around 30 yards out. He let fly and sent a swerving effort into the top corner.

The Leeds crowd tried to roar their side level before the break but, despite pressure, they did not conjure up a clear chance.

Twenty seconds into the second half, Schmeichel made another sparkling save when Nasri fed Alex Song and the Cameroon midfielder tried to lift the ball over the keeper.

The Danish stopper has been brilliant throughout this tie. But, a couple of minutes later, he made a rare error by dropping Nasri’s free-kick on the line before gathering.

Leeds were trying to create pressure but Arsenal were still having all the chances. In the 55th minute, a wonderful one-touch move involving eight players would have ended in a goal had Robert Snodgrass not swept the ball away from the feet of Arshavin at the last second.

The Russian was having a difficult night. On the hour, Song’s errant, trickling cross found him at the far post. He hacked it horribly over the bar. An in-form Arshavin would have buried it.

Arsenal were still on top but still missing chances. And, every so often, Leeds made them fully aware of the slenderness of the lead they held.

In the 65th minute, Max Gradel, another star of the tie, sent over a penetrative cross towards Billy Paynter at the near post. The home side were within an outstretched leg of drawing level.

Straight after that chance, the striker was replaced by Davide Somma. The South African’s first touch saw him knee a shot behind at the near post.

With 20 minutes left, Wenger brought on his Big Guns - Fabregas and Van Persie – for Arshavin and Chamakh. The manager clearly wanted to get the job done.

Fabregas nearly did it when he curled a free-kick inches beyond the far post.

In the 76th minute, Van Persie did finish the task by steering home a header from Bendtner’s pin-point cross. The celebrations told the story of the goal. Two team-mates ran to the scorer, three to the provider.

The Dutchman nearly curled home another in the dying minutes. By now Leeds were spent.

They had been wonderful at Emirates Stadium but were well-beaten on home turf this evening.

Wenger - Nothing has clicked over centre back

Arsène Wenger admits he has had “many offers” in his search for a centre back but nothing has 'clicked'.

On Friday, the Arsenal manager suggested the defender he was looking to acquire would be “an insurance” for further injuries. However that was before it was confirmed that Thomas Vermaelen would be sidelined for sometime after undergoing a procedure.

On Monday, Wenger admitted that little had moved forward despite activity behind the scenes.

“No, it is still nowhere,” he said. “We get many offers but, at the moment, nothing concrete.

 “I cannot tell you [about the type of player] at the moment because it has to click in my head and nothing has happened yet.

“If you look at the centre backs we have, they are quality - Djourou, Squillaci, Koscielny, Vermaelen. The quality of the player coming in, what will it be? Is it a complement to the players we have already? It’s very difficult to predict.”

Wenger – The snow helped Third Round shocks

 

The number of upsets in this season’s FA Cup was, in part, due to the snow that swept across Britain before Christmas, according to Arsène Wenger.

The Third Round produced a number of eye-catching results with Arsenal needing a last-gasp Cesc Fabregas penalty to spare their blushes against Leeds while West Brom, Newcastle, Sunderland and Blackpool all succumb to lower League opposition.

Wenger wasn’t surprised.

Football League fixtures were heavily disrupted in December with the adverse weather conditions forcing the postponement of a host of fixtures over a three-week period. However, there was no let up for Premier League teams over the notoriously busy festive schedule and this respite, the Arsenal manager feels, goes some way to explaining why there were so many shocks.

“[There was] relative rest for the Championship teams because many games were cancelled for them” said Wenger. “[Also] the heavy programme during the Christmas period for the Premier League teams.

“The improvement of the level in the Championship is a good reason as well. You saw Leeds coming to Arsenal, they played without any restriction.”

Arsenal star Walcott apologises for diving

LONDON - ARSENAL winger Theo Walcott apologised for diving to try to win a penalty during his side's 1-1 draw against Leeds in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

With Arsene Wenger's team trailing 1-0 in the closing minutes at the Emirates Stadium, England winger Walcott tumbled to the turf after a challenge from Alex Bruce in the penalty area.

Referee Phil Dowd initially awarded the penalty but, after consulting with his assistant, he changed his mind.
Walcott, who then won the stoppage time penalty that Cesc Fabregas scored for Arsenal's equaliser, later issued a statement apologising for his actions.

'I want to apologise to the managers because I actually dived. I was trying to win the penalty,' Walcott told the club's website.

'I am not the sort of player to do it, but I own up to it and apologise. It is something I don't want to see in my game.

FA Cup : Arsenal 1 - 1 Leeds United - Match report

A last-minute penalty from Cesc Fabregas prevented Arsenal becoming the subject of an FA Cup Third Round shock on Saturday.

It looked like Leeds were going to become the first lower League opposition to knockout the North London side in 15 years until substitute Theo Walcott was hauled back and the Spaniard scored from the spot.





The goal heralded a frantic finale in which Arsenal might have grabbed a winner, mostly notably when Kasper Schmeichel saved Denilson’s piledriver.




However, Leeds were worthy of a draw. The visitors were under pressure before they took the lead in the 53rd minute when Robert Snodgrass scored from the spot. But they responded well and might have killed the tie when Wojciech Szczesny saved superbly from Luciano Becchio.
This was a belting Cup tie – a throwback to Arsenal-Leeds games from a decade ago.





And now Arsène Wenger’s side know the size of the task they face at Elland Road on January 18/19.

As early as Thursday, the manager had told Arsenal TV Online there would be “many, many changes” – he did not disappoint.



There were nine in total. Only Alex Song and Johan Djourou were retained from the 0-0 draw against Manchester City on Wednesday night.





But there were seven common players from the 2-2 draw at Wigan just before the New Year. As at DW Stadium, Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner were both chosen but it was the Dane who was pushed out wide.




The most significant starter was Kieran Gibbs, who had been out with an ankle injury since the win over Partizan Belgrade on December 8.




However, Aaron Ramsey was the on the bench. It was his first appearance in an Arsenal first-team squad since suffering that horrific broken leg at Stoke on February 27.

Szczesny took the gloves for the fourth time this season. The young Pole seems to be specialising in big games right now. His debut had come at Old Trafford in December and – perhaps it was just Third Round day, perhaps it was the 9,000 fans Leeds brought to Emirates - but this game felt almost as important.

Simon Grayson’s side arrived in fifth position in the Championship with designs on returning to the top flight. The statistics told us they were the second highest scorers and conceders in the division. Perhaps the perfect combination for a Cup tie.




And Grayson brought back Sanchez Watt, on loan from Arsenal, to help with the former.




The opening ten minutes were all bluster. Leeds were full of energy but did nothing with it.




Arsenal’s first chance should have put them ahead. In the 11th minute, Tomas Rosicky, who was captain for the day, curled a defence-splitting pass into the path of Andrey Arshavin. The Russian was clear but never quite had control. He did get a decent shot away but Schmeichel stood up well to block.



Seconds later, Szczesny raced out to prevent Becchio going through. The ball bounced up dangerously but Denilson kept a cool head to pass his way out of trouble.



Gradually Arsenal roused themselves and, by the half-hour, were firmly on top. In quick succession, Arshavin’s shot was turned aside by Schmiechel, as was Denilson’s drive, then Sebastien Squillaci’s scrambled effort was hooked off the line. Finally Chamakh’s header was booted away by Becchio.

Suddenly it was all Arsenal. 


In the 33rd minute, Arshavin tossed a corner into the heart of the area and Chamakh rose highest to make a clean, firm contact. Had it not gone straight at Schmeichel, Arsenal would have been in front. 


The home side struggled to keep the same intensity before the break but they were still asking all the questions.


In injury time, Bendtner broke down the right and fired an angled shot towards the near post. Schmeichel made an ungainly save.


It was more of the same after the restart. In the opening seconds, Song raced down the left only for his cross to escape its intended target. Ditto Bendtner on the right a couple of minutes later.


At this point, the stats said Arsenal had enjoyed 68 per cent of the possession. So it was pretty unarguable that the penalty came against the run of play. But the decision was clear.

Max Gradel cut in from the left and went past Denilson, who clipped him. Szczesny got a hand to the spot-kick from Snodgrass but could not prevent it going in.
 


Wenger’s response was immediate. Fabregas replaced Song. 


Leeds had been defending deeply since the interval but now they were penned back. On the hour, Emmanuel Eboue’s dangerous cross was touched away from the waiting Chamakh by Andy O’Brien’s flick.


But the visitors were now playing with more confidence when they did break and Becchio could have added a second in the 63rd minute. The Argentinean met a Snodgrass corner at the near post with a spiteful header. Szczesny thrust out his right hand to turn the ball aside.
 


Walcott replaced Chamakh with 23 minutes left. Arsenal’s attacking trio was now Arshavin on the left, Bendtner through the centre with the Englishman on the right. Fabregas was operating in the hole.


The home side were now fully in pursuit of this tie – and it did not help their game.


For the first time, Arsenal began to look a little ragged. While, to their credit, Leeds were still looking for a second. The closest they came was when Snodgrass fired a free-kick just wide in the 71st minute. 
 


Shortly afterwards, Wenger played his last card – Carlos Vela for Rosicky. 
 


Arsenal were gambling going forward. Bendtner headed over and Arshavin’s shot was blocked but this was starting to look ominous.
 


Four minutes from time, Arshavin flicked Walcott through on the right but his attempted chip was too close to Schmeichel.


Just after that, Arsenal thought they had won a penalty when Walcott was clipped by Paul Connolly. In fact Bendtner was called offside.
 


In the final minute Walcott did win a spot kick when Bradley Parker pulled him back. Fabregas converted the penalty. 



Bendtner might have won the tie in the final seconds but blasted wide. With almost the final kick Schmeichel saved wonderfully from Denilson's long-range effort
.

That would have been harsh on Leeds, who thoroughly deserved another chance. 
 


Elland Road will be rocking if the replay is anything like this pulsating game.

FA Cup Preview : Arsenal Vs Leeds United

For the first time in decade, Arsène Wenger is going ‘all out’ in the four main competitions – and he’ll prove it on Saturday.

Ever since the early years of his tenure in North London, the Arsenal manager has targeted the Premier League and Champions League but managed his resources in the FA and Carling Cups.

He played a young side in the latter knockout competition and often had to do to same in the middle rounds of the former when the European games returned to the calendar.

However this season, Wenger believes the size of his squad can cover any eventuality.

On Saturday, Arsenal start their 2011 FA Cup adventure with a tough-looking tie with Leeds at Emirates Stadium. On Wednesday, they play the first leg of their Carling Cup Semi-Final against Ipswich.

Wenger shuffled his squad for those four Premier League games in ten days over Christmas and he has promised more of the same this weekend.

But, at the same time, Arsenal will NOT be weak.

“I said since the start of the season that I have a big squad and that we will go for all the competitions,” he said at his pre-match press conference. “Our desire is to qualify on Saturday, we take the FA Cup very seriously.

“We rotated quite well I think [over Christmas] so we are not over-tired. I will play the best team available.

“I am very lucky because I have 25 players of a top, top level and choosing for any game is a big problem because I have an abundance of quality. The team who plays will be the freshest team and therefore the best available.

“We play on Wednesday in the Semi-Final of the League Cup and we have four days to prepare after the FA Cup, so it is no problem.”

On Friday, Wenger ruled out Jack Wilshere, Laurent Koscielny, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie. He then added that Aaron Ramsey, Carlos Vela and Kieran Gibbs would be in the squad while Wojciech Szczesny should probably take the gloves.

That may appear as though four regulars are out and four not-so-regulars are in but Saturday’s side will not be like that. Expect a host of familiar names with maybe one surprise on the bench.

Leeds ended Wenger’s first FA Cup campaign at Highbury in 1997. It remains the only time Arsenal have lost on home soil under the Frenchman. They have not been defeated by lower league opposition in that time either.

Despite that, Simon Grayson’s side will fancy a shock to match the one they pulled off at Manchester United last season.

They will be backed by around 9,000 travelling fans for their first trip to Emirates Stadium. To Wenger, the game rekindles memories of games gone by.

“Not so long ago, on January 1, 2002, Leeds were top of the Premier League but three or four years later, they were in League One,” he said.

“It just shows you how quickly you can go up and down when you do not respect the basic rules of our game. Leeds is part of a tradition of football history in England. You knew when you went to Leeds, if you took points there you had a chance to do well in the League.

“And it looks now as though they are coming up again.”

Arsenal fans endured a turgid 0-0 draw with an unambitious and shackling Manchester City side on Wednesday. Leeds will be the polar opposite. In the Championship they have scored 46 goals – a figure behind only Watford – and conceded 43 – a figure bettered by only Preston, who are rock bottom.

Sanchez Watt, on loan from Arsenal, may be part of that frontline but he is more likely to be on the bench even if he does recover from injury.

The home side will attack too. Mostly because it is Wenger’s way but also because they will not want a replay adding to a cluttered schedule.

“We will go to win the game,” said Wenger. “We are at home at the Emirates so we can't say we're going for a draw.

“If we have to replay to qualify, we'll do that aswell. I remember it happened against Port Vale where we had to go there in a replay and we won. After that we won the Cup.

“But ideally we want to qualify tomorrow because after that we have Ipswich and then West Ham.”

Wenger has never ‘chosen’ any competition really. The fruits of a deliberate Carling Cup policy are obvious to see and his decisions in the FA Cup have been steered by Champions League demands.

“The only problem we have had in the FA Cup is sometimes it conflicts with the Champions League when you go far,” he said.

“I remember we played Manchester United in the Semi-Finals at Villa Park, and then three days later we had a Quarter-Final of the Champions League.

“I played all of the players and in the end we lost the Champions League match late in the game. When that happens you think we should have sacrificed a bit more the FA Cup.

“But we learned over Christmas that we have the potential to go all the way this season and that we have the desire to do it.

“So let’s just go for it.”