Arsenal v Leeds United: Grayson hoping Leeds have learned their lesson ahead of Gunners test

The Elland Road club travel to the Emirates Stadium looking to repeat their heroics of this time last year when only a stoppage-time penalty from Cesc Fabregas denied Grayson’s men a famous win.

Arsenal went on to win the replay in Yorkshire comfortably, which is also what Premier League champions Manchester United did when taking on Leeds in the Carling Cup third round in September.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side triumphed 3-0 but could have won more convincingly if they had not eased off during the second half as the home side were outclassed.

Tonight’s tie offers a chance for United to make up for that disappointing defeat as the third round weekend ends with a tie that will be shown live on ESPN.

Grayson said: “We played against an extremely talented football team that night in the Carling Cup. Manchester United did not give us any time on the ball and they passed it with real quality.

“We didn’t play as well as we can and maybe the occasion got to one or two of our players. They didn’t do the things we asked of them.

“But they will have learned from that game against Manchester United and we want to go out and perform. Hopefully, we can do ourselves justice.”

Leeds head south as the only club to knock Arsenal out on home soil during Arsene Wenger’s 16-year reign, the Gunners’ other 34 ties at either Highbury or the Emirates ending in either victory or a draw.

Last season, Grayson came within a whisker of joining George Graham, whose side won 1-0 at Highbury in 1997, in getting the better of Wenger on home soil but he expects tonight to be a stern test for his Championship side.

He said: “Arsenal are a different team to a year ago and so are we. But we can learn from how we went there and grasped the opportunity to go toe to toe with some of the best players in the world.

“We know what we need to do. We go there as massive underdogs but want to do ourselves justice.

“Sometimes, Cup ties just sit well with this football club. We can handle the big arenas. Our fans go to any ground in the country and people recognise the tremendous support we take.

“I took my son to Manchester City v Liverpool the other week and he asked me, ‘Will they make as much noise as Leeds fans?’ I said ‘no’. And they didn’t. That is why we feel comfortable stepping on to the big stage.

“We won’t be going gung-ho because Arsenal, on their day, can destroy any team. But we will pass the ball around and there is always one upset in the third round, why can’t it be Leeds beating Arsenal on Monday night?

“We got so close last year. To concede a penalty late on was unfortunate but then they came up here and produced the sort of performance you expect of Arsenal.”

Much of the focus ahead of kick-off tonight will be on Thierry Henry after the World Cup winner completed his loan switch to Arsenal half-an-hour before Friday’s noon deadline.

Henry is unlikely to start but Wenger sees Leeds as ideal opponents to ease the Gunners legend back into first-team action so Grayson’s side can expect to face the striker at some stage.

Grayson added: “Arsenal have a fantastic squad but it would be nice if Thierry Henry could play. He was magnificent for the Premier League. It would be nice for our players to face him.

“The pace and goalscoring opportunities he used to take, he must be one of the best players the Premier League has ever seen.

“At 34, he will be a different player. He will have had a different experience in America but this is probably a fitting way to come back and have a couple of months with Arsenal.

“We are not expecting him to be the player of before but he will be a major threat if he plays against us.”

Asked if there are bigger threats in the Arsenal ranks than Henry with Robin van Persie’s involvement already having been ruled out by Wenger, Grayson replied: “Probably our biggest threat is ourselves. At times, we can produce performances but cause problems for ourselves.”

One man delighted to see Henry back in an Arsenal shirt is former team-mate Martin Keown. The ESPN football analyst said: “I think it is great for the club to have Thierry back. He is a great champion and, from my point of view, great to play with. I didn’t enjoy so much having to face him in training every day because he was so good but that was the price we had to pay.

“Thierry was so athletic and his movement was second to none. He was almost unplayable between 2002 and 2004.

“Obviously, he will be a different player now. But I do feel the club has been clever as there is not too much expectation on Thierry. It has been under-played.

“I would not say he has gone out to graze in America but it is a life changing thing. It is as much a favour for the club and he will want to come in and thank Arsene for all that he did for him.”

Keown knows all about the threat Leeds can pose due to being in the Arsenal side that suffered the club’s only home defeat in the FA Cup under Wenger.

Speaking exclusively to the Yorkshire Post, he recalled: “I remember that night very well. Our old manager George Graham was in charge of Leeds and we had beaten them in the league a few months earlier after scoring inside about 30 seconds.

“So, when the draw was made, I do remember thinking ‘George will have something up his sleeve here’. And he did, as Leeds did a really good job on us to win through an early Rod Wallace goal.

“I always used to enjoy Arsenal v Leeds games as there was a real rivalry, which dated right back to the Sixties and Seventies. Leeds have, unfortunately, had a few hard years after going down but I think we would all love to see them back up soon. It would be good for the Premier League.”

Martin Keown was speaking ahead of ESPN’s live and exclusive coverage of tonight’s tie.

Last six games: Arsenal WLWDWL, Leeds United WDLLLW.

Referee: M Clattenberg (Tyne & Wear).

Last time: Arsenal 1 Leeds United 1; January 8, 2011; FA Cup.

SkyBet odds: Arsenal to win 2-7; Leeds to win 9-1; Draw 9-2.