FA Cup: Arsenal gun down Leeds in third round
A spectacular display from Samir Nasri helped Arsenal breeze into the fourth round of the FA Cup, as the gunners defeated Leeds 3-1 at Elland Road.
Arsenal went into the match high on confidence after thrashing West Ham United at Upton Park recently, and it showed. It took the Gunners just 4 minutes to open the scoring. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrei-Arshavin-c5771, and the Frenchman coolly
slotted home to give his side an early lead.
Nasri is in the form of his life at the moment. The goal was the French international’s 14th for Arsenal in all competitions in 2010-11. Arsenal continued to push, nearly getting their reward when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marouane-Chamakh-c24294 shot a venomous downward header
at the Leeds goal. It took a fantastic save from goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to keep his side in the game.
Soon after, Arshavin and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicklas-Bendtner-c27726 wasted two glorious opportunities to double Arsenal’s lead. Bendtner is going through a rough patch at the moment, and the Leeds fans poured even more salt on his wounds, with chants of “That’s why you’re number
52.”
Arsenal’s sustained pressure finally paid off near the half hour mark. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148 fired a vicious left-footed drive past the helpless Schmeichel, seemingly sealing the victory for the Gunners.
However, just before the half time whistle, Leeds suddenly found themselves with a way back into the match. Bradley Johnson scored an astonishing goal from 30 yards out, leaving keeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wojciech-Szczesny-c36998 clawing at thin air. The hosts went into half time
with the hope that they could still pull off a huge upset over the big boys of the Premier League.
Arsenal started the second half the same way they ended the first; pushing forward relentlessly to kill off the game. Meanwhile, Leeds could hardly force their way into the Gunners’ half. Arsenal kept up the pressure, and it took some dogged defending from
the hosts to keep Arsene Wenger’s men at bay.
The Arsenal manager sent on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 and Cesc Fabregas with 15 minutes left to play. The results were immediate. Van Persie scored with his first touch, coolly heading in Bendtner’s cross to put the final nail in Leeds’ coffin.
The match at Elland Road finished 3-1. Arsenal now move into the fourth round of the FA Cup. Perhaps this is the season the Gunners will finally be able to end their long-standing trophy drought.
Tags: