Arsenal v Leeds United – Preview, Prediction, TV Listings, and Betting Odds – FA Cup – 8 January 2011
The Gunners start the 2010-11 English FA Cup with a third round against Championship side Leeds United. The match will take place at the Emirates Stadium in London, England on Saturday, January 8, 2011. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:45 GMT (UK time), 13:45 CET (Central Europe), and 07:45 EST (USA Eastern).
Arsenal v Leeds United TV Listings
It will be televised on Fox Soccer Plus (USA), ITV 1 (UK), Setanta (Ireland), Setanta Sports (Canada), Sky Sport (Italy), Sport TV1 (Portugal), C+ Futbol (Spain), Channel 4 (France), and on Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East).
Arsenal v Leeds United Preview
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
“Sanchez Watt is a player who is left-footed, talented, good on the ball and a good dribbler,” said the Frenchman.
“He will certainly put every effort in and I hope he will not play tomorrow.”
“I always said that when you give the player on loan it was a bit unfair not to let him play against you, because it gives an advantage to the other clubs,” he said.
“I had the case many times, and always gave permission for the players to play. Before in the Premiership, you could give permission for the player to play, and I always did.
“When you give a player out on loan, you cannot forbid him to play against you.”
“That would certainly spice it up (FA Cup winner getting place in Champions League), but it would meet a lot of resistance from the Premier League clubs,” he said.
“It is already difficult to be in the top four and you would imagine it [the Premier League placings] is a much [better way] to represent the country because the top four teams are certainly most of the time stronger.
“Not forgetting that also in the last ten years one of the four teams has been in the Final anyway!”
“I believe it is what it was because we are going back to Wembley for the Final,” he said.
“Maybe people have lost the romance from the FA Cup a bit because there are so many Champions League games, and the Premier League has become massively important, but the FA Cup is still a big thing.”
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson
“It can do, but we have to play to the best of our ability and have some luck along the way,” said Grayson.
“If we enjoy ourselves and produce our performance there’s nothing to stop us getting a result.
“Can we emulate Man U? Who knows. There is a difference from last season. You can sense that in the build-up, and there isn’t the same rivalry with the fans, but it is still a major, major game.
“The players have had no distractions over the past few days, and this is a great game to be involved in. As long as we do ourselves justice, I’ll be happy.”
“Even teams in the Premier League know what they are getting at Arsenal,” he said.
“They are a good, good team. Who will play for them? I don’t know, but I know they can put out three quality, quality teams packed full of internationals.
“They made eight or nine changes at Wigan the other week. They are an outstanding team. They are the best team to watch, and I include the likes of Man United and Barcelona in that.
“They are a good test for Premier League teams so it is a great experience for my players.
“It’s a great opportunity and they have to thrive on that. Whatever happens, happens and if they have no regrets I will be proud of them.”
“It’s a great draw for the fans as well,” he said. “They will travel in their 1000s and I hope they have a good day out.
“Last season was different for them as well because of the rivalry and I think that win will have meant more than anything we could achieve on Saturday.
“We know we’ll have a fantastic support, we always do, and it’s a support that is the envy of every other club in the country.
“They’ll certainly ensure there is a great atmosphere on Saturday and they are incentive enough to make sure we do our best.”
Head To Head Records
| Comp | Total | Arsenal | Leeds | Draws |
| All comps | 116 | 44 | 41 | 31 |
| League | 100 | 38 | 38 | 24 |
| FA Cup | 13 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
Meetings In The FA Cup
| Date | Rnd | Res | ||
| 04 Mar 1950 | QF | Arsenal | 1-0 | Leeds Utd |
| 06 May 1972 | FNL | Leeds Utd | 1-0 | Arsenal |
| 29 Jan 1983 | R4 | Arsenal | 1-1 | Leeds Utd |
| 02 Feb 1983 | R4 R | Leeds Utd | 1-1 | Arsenal AET |
| 09 Feb 1983 | R4 2R | Arsenal | 2-1 | Leeds Utd |
| 27 Jan 1991 | R4 | Arsenal | 0-0 | Leeds Utd |
| 30 Jan 1991 | R4 R | Leeds Utd | 1-1 | Arsenal AET |
| 13 Feb 1991 | R4 2R | Arsenal | 0-0 | Leeds Utd AET |
| 16 Feb 1991 | R4 3R | Leeds Utd | 1-2 | Arsenal |
| 25 Jan 1993 | R4 | Arsenal | 2-2 | Leeds Utd |
| 03 Feb 1993 | R4 R | Leeds Utd | 2-3 | Arsenal AET |
| 04 Feb 1997 | R4 | Arsenal | 0-1 | Leeds Utd |
| 04 Jan 2004 | R3 | Leeds Utd | 1-4 | Arsenal |
Arsenal v Leeds United Prediction
Arsenal wins 3-2
Arsenal v Leeds United Betting Odds
Arsenal win – 2/7
Draw – 9/2
Leeds win – 9/1
