Arsenal vs Leeds LIVE: Result and reaction from Premier League fixture today
The Gunners continued their momentum under Mikel Arteta against Marcelo Bielsa’s high-flying Leeds, but it was a hard-fought victory
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Your support makes all the difference.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:
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
3: Leeds are enjoying a relatively good start here. Their plan seems to be trying to get Patrick Bamford in behind the defence to stretch Arsenal a bit, a couple of long balls not quite finding him.
The away side do have a slight chance from a deep free-kick as Bamford glances a header just wide.
6: Pepe tenaciously wins the ball back, loses it and turns it over again before running from the half-way line only to be tackled on the edge of the box.
7: Leeds get a three vs two after Holding gives away possession. Leeds work it to Bamford, who has a shock blocked.
Arsenal are looking very dozy here and are lucky Leeds didn't do more damage with that move.
8: Pepe tries one from range and gifts Illan Meslier a first save. The Leeds debutant will be happy to get his gloves on the ball this early.
9: Rob Holding's having a particular dreadful start as he passes the ball straight out of play, his second mistake in possession at the back. You feel that's a mix of a long injury and Leeds' relentless pressure.
11: Arsenal's insistence on being careless in possession is going to cost them, you feel, as Xhaka receives a poor pass from Martinez and returns the favour. The Arsenal goalkeeper clears with little conviction, they're rattled.
Arsenal 0-0 Leeds
13: Jack Harrison collects a simple one-two from Patrick Bamford and strings the palms of Emi Martinez, who almost dives past the ball such is the swerve of the shot from the edge of the box.
Arsenal 0-0 Leeds
15: Off the bar! Leeds are inches away from taking the lead.
Luke Ayling and Jack Harrison combine well to set up Patrick Bamford, who crashes a shot against the bar from inside the area.
17: It's almost like the old Arsenal are back. Granit Xhaka lazily tracks back so commits a foul to save his bacon, the free-kick is moved on quickly and another shot is saved by Emi Martinez.
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