Arsenal survives in FA cup against Leeds (Arsenal 1-1 Leeds)
Arsenal left it late against Leeds in the FA cup but managed to get away with a draw as the match ended 1-1. It would have been a shock win for Leeds but Cesc Fabregas smashed in a late penalty to salvage a draw and save Arsenal from red faces.
Leeds were awarded a penalty when Denilson was charged with a foul against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robert-c31222 Snodgrass made no mistake in finding the net to give the lead to his team. Leeds could have doubled their lead soon after, when Luciano Becchio missed a shot
from close range.
Arsenal couldn't find the equalizer till the very last few moments of the game, when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 earned his team a penalty on which Fabregas scored. The agility of Leeds keeper, Kasper Schmeichel was what prevented the Gunners from winning in the few minutes
left after the equalizer, when Denilson was denied the net just before the final whistle.
It was a thrilling end to a frenetic FA Cup tie. The draw also meant that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had managed to hang on to his proud record of not being beaten by a lower division side since 1997. Interestingly, Leeds was the team that beat them in
1997.
Leeds has made a reputation of beating Premier League teams in the FA Cup. Last season, they beat Manchester United at the same stage and also took Tottenham to a replay. They were relegated in the Premier League in 2004.
Leeds came to game with nothing to lose. It was clear that they were not afraid to commit men upfront, and were prepared to sacrifice defence for offence. Being too adventurous almost cost them in the first half when Arsenal managed to find holes in the
midfield and attacked their goal several times. Schmeichel was in excellent form and continued to deny the Gunners. Andrey Arshavin looked in a menacing mood but was not able to beat the former Manchester City goalkeeper even after several attempts. Denilson
and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicklas-Bendtner-c27726 also tried their luck but without any success.
The Leeds backline was very impressive; Alex Bruce was the man leading the lines in defence. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonathan-c18993 Howson did well when Sebastien Squillaci got through and later Becchio was in the right place to clear the ball from the goal line after a congested scramble.
In the 2nd half, Arsenal came out with renewed vigour and bombarded the Leeds goal, but it was Leeds who got the first goal of the game.
Just 9 minutes into the 2nd half, Denilson was at fault when he fouled Gradel and there was no doubt in the penalty. Snodgrass came up and calmly slotted the ball home sending the travelling fans into a frenzy. Arsenal were left with almost 30
minutes to get an equalizer and stay in the FA cup.
Arsenal keeper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wojciech-Szczesny-c36998 had to be on guard when Becchio headed a strong one towards the goal. Arsenal continued to fight and was finally rewarded when the winger, Theo Walcott made one of his trademark runs into the box. Leeds seemed to have panicked
and Walcott was pulled back and driven to the ground by Parker. There was, once again, no doubt about the penalty and the World Cup winning Spanish midfielder levelled the score with a comfortable strike.
The two teams will now play a replay at Leeds in about 2 weeks.
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