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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Tom Kershaw

Arsenal vs Leeds: How will FA Cup third round tie play out?

Arsenal beat Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium tonight as Mikel Arteta further built on an encouraging win over Manchester United

The Gunners have a proud history in the FA Cup and avoided the ignominy of falling at the first hurdle against the Championship leaders.

Leeds are flying once again under Marcelo Bielsa and are looking on course for promotion to the Premier League after 16 years away, but they didn't quite have enough. Follow all the latest live:

Hello and welcome along to live updates from Arsenal vs Leeds (7.56pm) in the FA Cup third round, as well as the fourth round draw (7.30pm). Full team news and line-ups coming up shortly...
Team news
 
Arsenal XI: Martinez, Sokratis, Luiz, Holding, Nelson, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Ozil, Lacazette, Pepe.
Subs: Leno, Mavropanos, Ceballos, Willock, Saka, Martinelli, John-Jules
 
Leeds XI: Meslier, Berardi, Ayling, White, Douglas, Gotts, Klich, Phillips, Harrison, Alioski, Bamford.
Subs: Casilla, Cooper, Dallas, Casey, Davis, Stevens, Costa
Respect The Cup (TM)
 
That's a strong team from both Arsenal and Leeds, no disrespecting the Cup around here.
 
Mesut Ozil, for example, is playing in his first FA Cup match since the 2017 final win against Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta has made just four changes from Thursday's win against Manchester United as Emiliano Martinez, Rob Holding, Reiss Nelson and Matteo Guendouzi come in.

Leeds made a total of five alterations. 

Illan Meslier and Robbie Gotts are making their Leeds debuts, Luke Ayling captains the side as Liam Cooper is rested on the bench.

Barry Douglas, Patrick Bamford and Gaetano Berardi are the others recalled from the New Year's Day draw at promotion rivals West Brom.

Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau explains his history as a Leeds United supporter, because why not?
 
Leeds will be hoping to be kings-slayers themselves this evening.
 
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang accuses the media of 'making up stories' as he commits his future to Arsenal

"I would also like to react to some of the rumours that are going around about me in the media," the Arsenal captain wrote in his programme notes this evening.

"People like making up stories and they should focus on what's happening on the pitch. They talk too much and it does my head in!

"I am the Arsenal captain. I love this club. I am committed to it and desperate to bring it back to the top, where it belongs."


 
Marcelo Bielsa's: Leeds won't change for Arsenal 'challenge'
 
Leeds are often the favourites to win in the regular league matches, but facing a tougher side will not mean a change of play, according to Marcelo Bielsa.
 
“Of course it is a big challenge for us,” he said.

“Being the favourite in one game is external analysis.

“When people think that we are the favourite in one match, we don’t consider things like that, neither with the opposite, which is in this case.

“Every time we compete we trust in our resources and respect our opponent’s resources.

“We will always do this with the wish to impose our style and we will try to do this on Monday.”

Miguel Delaney: Marcelo Bielsa takes on second-generation disciple Mikel Arteta in most modern of ties:
 
FA Cup draw
 
Right, time for the FA Cup fourth round draw. That's the real quiz.
Numbers to look out for
 
5. Wolves or Manchester United
12. Liverpool
18. Manchester City
19. Middlesbrough or Tottenham
28. Arsenal or Leeds
 
 
Alex Scott and David O'Leary are in place to make the draw. Some light banter we're away...
Watford or Tranmere vs Wolves or Manchester United
Hull City vs Chelsea
Southampton vs Middlesbrough or Tottenham
QPR vs Sheffield Wednesday
Bournemouth vs Arsenal or Leeds
Northampton vs Derby
Brentford vs Leicester
Millwall vs Sheffield United
Reading or Blackpool vs Cardiff or Carlisle
West Ham vs West Brom

Match preview

When is it?

The tie will kick-off at 19.56 on Monday 6 January at the Emirates.

How can I watch it?

The match will be broadcast live on BBC1 and BBC Sport online.

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal: Martinez; Maitland-Niles, Holding, Mavropanos, Saka; Willock, Guendouzi; Nelson, Ceballos, Smith Rowe; Martinelli

Leeds: Casilla; Ayling, White, Cooper, Alioski; Phillips; Helder Costa, Dallas, Klich, Harrison; Bamford

Team news

Alexandre Lacazette and Lucas Torreira are both likely to be rested after pulling up during the club’s victory over Manchester United. Gabriel Martinelli remains a doubt due to a hamstring injury.

Tyler Roberts was ruled out of the West Brom game with a minor knock, while Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton have returned to training and could play. Pablo Hernandez remains a longer-term absentee.

Prediction

Leeds should push a heavily rotated Arsenal side to the wire, however, the good feeling conjured by victory against United should carry over for Arteta, with a young side who’ll be desperate to prove themselves to him.

Arsenal 2-1 Leeds

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