It took only five minutes for Arsenal to take the lead on their hosts, with Samir Nasri recording his 14th goal of the year (all-competitions), beating Kasper Schmeichel after being sent in alone on goal. Though Leeds United and the Gunners would trade a pair of wonderful goals later in the half, Arsenal would take that same, one goal lead into halftime at Elland Road.
FA Cup Replay: Arsenal Takes 2-1 Lead Into Half At Leeds United
The offsetting goals started in the 35th minute, when Bacary Sagne blasted a shot from the right edge of the area high past Schmeichal, giving Arsenal a two goal lead and (seemingly) sending them on their way to a comfortable win. The Gunners had controlled the match after their opening goal, putting their fluid football on display for the packed Leeds crowd. Sagna’s goal seemed like the next logical plot point in a story we’ve heard before.
Within two minutes, though, a screamer off the left foot of Bradley Johnson restored Leeds’ one goal deficit. The Whites had built their attacker down the right side, swinging the ball back through the middle of the pitch before laying off for the oncoming Johnson 28 yards from goal. The 23-year-old’s first touch was a rocket shot that still seemed to be rising as it went into Wojciech Szczęsny’s upper right hand corner.
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