FA Cup: Arsenal 1 Leeds 0

Thierry Henry made a dream return to Arsenal on Monday, netting the winner off the bench to earn his side a 1-0 FA Cup win over Leeds.

Second-half substitute Henry scored in the 77th minute to send the Emirates Stadium faithful into hysteria, and help Arsene Wenger’s side into the Cup’s fourth round.

The on-loan New York Red Bulls attacker scored with only his fifth touch since coming on midway through to second period to set up a home clash against fellow Premier League side Aston Villa in the next round.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger handed starts to talented youngsters Ignasi Miquel, Francis Coquelin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a strong starting line-up.

As for the visitors, on-loan Tottenham attacker Andros Townsend was given the chance to impress against his parent club’s bitter local rivals, while manager Simon Grayson opted for Argentinean striker Luciano Becchio to lead the line.

The home side started the match brightly, controlling possession against their Championship opponents, with Russian international Andrei Arshavin squandering a couple of presentable early chances on.

Former Sevilla man Sebastien Squillaci came close to breaking the deadlock in the 14th minute.

Mikel Arteta played in a wicked set piece which the French defender met with his head, but failed to test Andy Lonergan in the Leeds goal.

Leeds finally posed a threat midway through the first half after Arsenal failed to clear a free-kick.

Finland international Mika Vayrynen picked up the loose ball before driving to the byline.

His attempted cross deflected nicely into the path of Becchio who could only smash his close-range effort over the bar.

Wenger’s defensive injury problems took another turn for the worse after Coquelin picked up an apparent hamstring injury and was subsequently replaced by debutant Nico Yennaris.

Despite continuing to dominate possession, Arsenal failed to create another chance and the two sides headed into the half-time interval all square.

With less than 25 minutes remaining, Henry made his much-anticipated comeback as Wenger decided to add the Frenchman and Theo Walcott into the mix as he strived for the win, with the former Barcelona forward’s arrival sparking the previously reserved home supporters into frenzy.

The deadlock was finally broken 13 minutes from time with Henry getting on the end of an Alex Song pass, before bending a trademark finish past the hapless Lonergan.

Leeds almost managed to strike back instantly through a Ross McCormack header which the previously untested Wojciech Szczesny did well to hold.

The visitors continued to push for a goal and Szczesny was again called into action by a stinging effort by former Chelsea man Mikael Forssell, but the visitors could not find a way through.