Arsenal 1-1 Leeds United ... Pride.

Obviously I can't say anything other than how proud I am to have seen the team play like that again, against what should have been on paper far, far superior opposition (Arsenal's 11 consisted of 10 full internationals...). The whole team defended manfully and as a unit as well as individually, every player on the pitch made worthwhile and telling contributions. What a fantastic performance.

Leeds do it again.

I myself thought we'd struggle immensely with Arsenal's quick passing and direct running, with their many sharp players but we stifled them, got in their faces and bullied them into wasting attack after attack. The lack of movement on display was great to see - how often do you see Arsenal out of ideas? Two solid banks of players with Becchio up top took care of almost all of Arsenal's unusually blunt attacks, which we stopped having any incisive end product. 

Hard but fair tackling was what was necessary to put them off kilter and Bruce, Parker, Johnson and Snoddy, in particular, supplied this. Bruce was certainly not to be messed with as he acted as a one man brick wall for Arshavin and Bendtner to run into time and again. Standing tackles a plenty, a last ditch slide tackle with Arshavin (I believe) in on goal, coping with their pace to my surprise and crucial blocking headers with dangerous balls coming into the box at awkward angles. He really did play with his heart on his sleeve. Think Kisnorbo at Old Trafford - it was up there. When I saw him hobbling after clashing knees I feared the worst but he played on and managed to turn in a mighty performance at the back. Surely "Bruce in..." in Grayson's mind? The stats with him alongside O'Brien are far more encouraging regards goals conceded than when Collins is his replacement.

The whole back four as a unit looked completely different than the last time I saw them, against 'Boro. Bruce's solidity allowed O'Brien to in turn put in a complimentary solid display, right place right time, old-head defending at its best. The calibre of player on show in Bendtner and Arshavin especially had me thinking the full backs would be in for a bit of a torrid time but they also coped well. (I'll give Parker an individual mention in a second).

Behind the defence was Kasper at his best. He induced poor touches from Arshavin as he came out off his line standing "big" to face the Russian one-on-one, he was given no time and fluffed his lines. He saved and held a Bendtner shot fizzing across his goal, and looked as assured and confident as I've seen him. The save from Denilson, full stretch 93rd minute, Leeds playing for the replay, was straight from the top drawer. The confidence reciprocated between him and the back line today was key in their collective performance, and was very pleasing to see.

The effectiveness of our whole defensive team unit was highly encouraging. Johnson and Howson lying deep in centre midfield did very well bar one or two occasions where the ball was allowed to be carried straight towards our back line after one or both of them had made a foray forward. That was the only minor blotch on our performance today, in fact. Communication must be better and they must realise when to lie deep to cover for the other when they're perhaps darting forward.

Set pieces in general were dealt with well. Chamakh did cause a few problems but the calibre of player he is, he would cause problems with his runs from corners for any side - so that can't really be helped.

Becchio forces a Wojciech wonder-save (Photo by LucasLedge)

Going forward, we did as well as could have hoped. We set up with Becchio playing for the knock-downs, of which he won pretty much every one that found his head from a Leeds boot - he really does know how to put a centre back off - such an asset. Snoddy in the hole again against a Premier League club in the cup was the best option I could see available. He did OK in there, didn't set the world alight but did as much as should be expected. I am glad Simon removed McCormack from that role in favour of Watt as A) Watt had a great game and B) McCormack hasn't impressed playing just behind Becchio as of yet.

Sanchez was definitely a live wire today. Correct choice to pick him he played like a man possessed. Several impressive direct runs and great back tracking. He clearly wanted it badly and the same will be true next week.

My only gripe on the attacking front was the unwillingness to use the flanks. Considering we've got Becchio winning headers left right and centre all game, I would have liked Snoddy to have drifted outside rather than staying inside to fetch the ball from Connolly on occasion. But then again, perhaps it would have left us a little more open in the middle of the park - where Arsenal can in theory pass you to death. (That never looked likely all game though in all honesty). We reverted understandably perhaps to a more long ball game at times but I'd much rather say "get out" as someone whelks it clear than "oh dear" as we get caught trying to play when under the cosh.

Gradel had a quiet-ish game bar his penalty winning run, and lovely ball slid in behind the defence that Becchio almost reached in front of the defence. Nothing more could have been asked. Periods of the game were spent defending and he was often isolated. He did what was required well and popped up with a couple of dangerous wide runs. When found, what was impressive was the space he had at times. He drifted nicely in behind Eboue on several occasions unnoticed.

Becchio was a thorn in the side, as per usual. Won everything in the air, won free-kicks when the ball was powered into his chest, held off men, held the ball up, ran, provided an outlet and perhaps should have scored - maybe that's being harsh considering Szczesny's wondersave from a powerful headed effort. Again, nothing more could have been asked.

In general the game was run by Arsenal in terms of efforts and attacking play:

Obviously everyone would expect this and the backs to the wall job required was fulfilled extremely well. It should be said though, a good few of their chances were only half chances, where the majority of ours seemed key. Becchio's point blank bullet header, Snoddy's close freekick, Becchio's one on one effort, Becchio's slide in from Gradel's ball... 

Ben Parker - Annoying and Unfounded Criticism  

So, Ben Parker. Ridiculously, but predictably, I've already seen threads ripping into him. Being out injured after god knows how long (at least 9 months) and then playing Cardiff and Arsenal in a week! Both times the full 90 minutes. The tug on Walcott was ridiculously minor and would not have been given had Phil Dowd not had to repeal a decision on a penalty (Walcott's admitted dive after Bruce's challenge) moments earlier as the linesman called for offside on the advantage played (I believe). Yes he got caught out, but who in any team wouldn't by his pace at that stage in the game. Never mind Ben Parker and his situation, any left back would have struggled in the 89th to manage a fresh Theo Walcott. It was a soft penalty, but you do see them given. 

Sometimes, Leeds fans really do wind me up. The whole game he didn't put a foot wrong, and didn't really even including the little tug. It happens, and the circumstances conspired for it to be given by Mr Dowd. I will go as far as saying now, in two weeks time, a match fit Ben Parker will save us the cash we would waste on McCartney or another left back - he is good enough and I'm very pleased to say that. No one deserves it more.

To surmise. I feel very proud. I honestly didn't expect us to be able to repeat last year's Cup performances, especially against what I thought (and perhaps when on song) would be the exact team we struggle to defend against. Fantastic as a team, fantastic defensively, determined, spirited and exactly what Leeds fans like to see from our club. We need to "kick on" as Simon might say, maintain what we have seen works and perform akin to this week in week out in the league if possible. Very encouraging indeed.

The Support

We all know this. Wherever we go away we turn the ground into Elland Road. The prawn sandwich brigade did little else bar be quiet and have a go at their side for 80 minutes. Some quality WACCOE-ing, loud repertoire of our songs and the jubilation when we scored makes me, and all Leeds fans proud to say we are just that. Leeds fans. 

Man of the Match: Alex Bruce 

The best defensive performance I can recall from a Leeds individual since Paddy at "Scum". He was mighty, immense, pretty much perfect. It was encouraging to watch, and shows we can do it. I could say anyone was worthy of it and in their own ways, they were, but for the sheer amount Bruce had to deal with through the whole game, it has to be given to him. Cesc Fabregas said:

"Their keeper should be given the man-of-the-match award. He was fantastic." 

What the Managers Said

Wenger 

"I must say at first that it was a very difficult game because it was a real cup game and Leeds were up for it, they played well... It was the kind of game where you felt that it was important not to go 1-0 down. When we were 1-0 down I felt that Wojciech (Szczesny) kept us in the game with a good save from Becchio's header."

"We looked like we would come back, but we were short of time and it was important to keep the momentum and not to go out today because that would have been a shocker. Even when we equalised we still had three chances at 1-1, but we couldn't take them."

"At least we are still in the Cup and hopefully we can do it at Leeds." 

"It is a good warning that we got today. But we knew before the game that Leeds went to Old Trafford last year and won, and they had a draw at Tottenham. Overall this team have belief in that competition, from last year certainly. 

"They did very well, very aggressive but in a good way, not a negative way, they closed us down everywhere and we had problems to pass through their lines. They were dangerous as well and it was important for us not to give a goal away, but we did." 

Grayson

 

"I'm delighted to get a result... Even though we were a couple of minutes from winning."

"Given the way that we performed, we can be immensely proud."