TEAM NEWS
Johan Djourou (left) and Luciano Becchio (right)
Becchio (right) is Leeds’ top-scorer this season with 13 goals
Leeds top scorer Luciano Becchio is a doubt for the FA Cup third-round replay against Arsenal after suffering a back injury against Scunthorpe on Saturday.
Defender George McCartney is ineligible as he joined on loan after the initial tie, so Ben Parker should start.
Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna is available after completing a ban and winger Tomas Rosicky is expected back after recovering from a virus.
The winner of the tie will host League One Huddersfield in the fourth round.
The game is expected to be a sell-out and Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny – who should keep his place as Lukasz Fabianski is sidelined with a shoulder problem – is hoping the 40,000-strong crowd make Elland Road as intimidating as possible for the visitors.
We’re going to have to work ever so hard. We’re underdogs against a top team, but it’s a great opportunity and we’re looking forward to it
Leeds manager Simon Grayson
Szczesny played at Elland Road while on loan at Brentford in League One last season and is relishing his second visit.
“It is quite a loud ground, but I enjoy the atmosphere, it gives you a bit more motivation, keeps you focused,” said the Pole.
“When you play games with no crowd, you can sometimes lose your concentration, so I enjoy the games at big stadiums with big crowds.”
With Arsenal playing Wigan in the Premier League on Saturday and then Ipswich in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg next Tuesday, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger may feel the need to rotate his starting XI.
Welsh international midfielder Aaron Ramsey could make his first appearance since recovering from a broken leg while striker Nicklas Bendtner may get another chance, after playing in the original tie at the Emirates.
Leeds go into Wednesday’s game off the back of Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing of Scunthorpe, which maintained the their promotion charge at the top of the Championship.
606: DEBATE
I think we have every chance of beating Arsenal on Wednesday, assuming they don’t turn up and we play well
BargainBucket
Having come through that game in such impressive fashion, Leeds manager Simon Grayson is now training his thoughts on the visit of Wenger’s side.
Grayson told BBC Radio Leeds: “My players go into the game as underdogs again as they should do against a top Arsenal team, but it’s a game where we can enjoy ourselves and hopefully have no regrets.
“We go out and play with a care-free attitude and enjoy the occasion – just because we got a result down at the Emirates doesn’t make us favourites by any stretch of the imagination.
“It’s a great opportunity to test yourselves against fantastic individuals and as a team apply yourself in front of the national media.”
Sanchez Watt, currently on loan at Leeds from Arsenal, will again start having been given permission to feature in the first game and the 19-year-old winger is convinced he can shock his parent club.
“I didn’t think I was going to be able to play in the first game but when I found out I was, I got myself focused,” Watt said.
“I knew I had to have a good game – to show people I wasn’t holding back and I was giving my all.
“We’re going into the game with a lot of confidence and I hope we can win. I want to play to the best of my ability and I want to score.
“I want to show people that I can be a player and stay in this game for a long time.
“It’ll be strange if I score but I’ll be feeling good about the fact that I’ve got a goal against a great team and a great defence. I won’t celebrate but inside I’ll be happy.”
BIG-MATCH FACTS
The tie in context
• This is the last of four midweek replays pitting Championship and Premier League clubs against each other.
Gulf in class
• Arsenal are 22 places higher than Leeds on the league ladder.
Head-to-head
• Arsenal are unbeaten in four against Leeds (W3, D1). They scored 14 goals scored in the process.
• Leeds last beat the Gunners in May 2003, by the odd goal in five in the Premier League at Highbury.
FA Cup records and best performances
• The original third round tie on 8 January was a story of two penalties. Robert Snodgrass gave Leeds the lead from the spot, and Cesc Fabregas equalised with a stoppage time penalty.
• This is the eighth time they are contesting an FA Cup tie. Arsenal have finished superior in five of the previous seven, including a fourth round contest in 1991, which took four games to resolve.
• Leeds won their most important FA meeting in 1972. A diving header by Allan Clarke, from a Mick Jones cross was the only goal of the centenary final at Wembley.
The clubs
LEEDS UNITED
Current form
• The 4-0 victory over Scunthorpe at Elland Road on Saturday was their first win in six league and cup games.
• Failed to score in one of the last 15.
• Undefeated in seven at Elland Road; won four and drawn three since losing 4-0 to Cardiff on 25 October.
FA Cup form
• Accounted for Manchester United at this stage last sason.
• Last season was the first time Leeds had reached the fourth round in seven years.
• Vying for their 100th victory in an FA Cup match.
ARSENAL
Current form
• The 3-0 victory over West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday, was their first win in four.
• Lost one of seven.
• Still fighting in all four fronts; Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup.
• Trailing Ipswich 1-0 ahead of the Emirates leg of the Carling Cup semi-final next Tuesday.
FA Cup form
• The 10 times winners and seven times runners-up are looking to successfully negotiate the third round for the 15th consecutive season. Arsene Wenger has never experienced third round defeat during his Arsenal managerial career.
• Sheffield United, then in the second tier, were the last club to halt their progress at the initial stage in January 1996.
Match officials
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Assistant referees: Simon Long and Jake Collin
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor
