Marcelo Bielsa rested several key players, giving debuts to goalkeeper Meslier and midfielder Robbie Gotts, but their passing game was too slick for Arsenal, their pressing too intense. But Arsenal under Graham, champions in 1989, were top of the table when they met Leeds. Arsenal are away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League in Saturday's early kick-off, while Leeds host Sheffield Wednesday in the Sky Bet Championship at 3pm on the same day. Arsenal dominated the rest of the second half and missed chances to extend their lead further, with substitute Gabriel Martinelli forcing a fine one-handed save from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, but the 1-0 scoreline was enough to set up a fourth-round tie away to Bournemouth. “We had to overcome injuries early in the season but we had to bite the bullet and take the poison.”. Ferguson targeted the Champions League but his side lost to Jose Mourinho’s Porto before United clinched the FA Cup. Arsenal mustered their first chance after half an hour, when David Luiz headed a few yards wide from Mesut Ozil's corner, but Leeds continued to dominate, with Martinez again coming to Arsenal's rescue, this time from Alioski, and Gotts slicing a clear chance over the bar soon after that. It just happened since then. Leeds started the second half with purpose, but Peter Reid's half-time team-talk was rendered meaningless when Silva was left unmarked to slot home Pires' cross. Peter Reid's team have lost every game since the beleaguered manager held on to his job following a crisis meeting with chairman Professor John McKenzie. Home News On This Day in 2003: Leeds beat Arsenal to hand Manchester United another title. The winger scored five goals in the Wiltshire club’s League Two title success. Skip to ... Sun 4 May 2003 19.39 EDT First published on Sun 4 May 2003 … Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta pays tribute to Leeds and says playing them is like 'going to the dentist' after beating them in the FA Cup. Report as Reiss Nelson's goal sees Arsenal past Leeds to set up an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Bournemouth, Comment and Analysis Arsenal (England - Premier League) check team statistics, table position, top players, top scorers, standings and schedule for team. Manchester United were crowned Premiership champions on May 4, 2003 after nearest challengers Arsenal lost 3-2 at home to Leeds. And Henry should have registered his hat-trick in first-half injury time but smashed the ball over the Leeds crossbar from 10 yards. Game played at 4 may 2003. ", Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa: "We wanted to beat them and we tried to win the match. The 28-year-old France-born player made 77 appearances across two seasons for Oldham. Smith almost fuelled the crowd's hopes of a dramatic comeback but his strike crashed against the crossbar and rebounded to safety. Read about Arsenal v Leeds in the Premier League 2003/04 season, including lineups, stats and live blogs, on the official website of the Premier League. @nicholaspwright. By half-time, Leeds had attempted as many shots as any other side in any game against Arsenal all season, but they would soon regret not making their dominance count. "We had to react and we changed some things but I think the biggest change was how we approached the second half, the mentality, how aggressive we were, how intense we were. In the second half we understand it is difficult to keep the same control in the match, but we should have tried to play a more balanced game.". 2003/2004 Championship returns to Old Trafford as Arsenal's bid to make history ends with limp defeat against rejuvenated Leeds. Thierry Henry had numerous chances to complete his hat-trick but had to settle for a brace, while Robert Pires and Gilberto Silva also got on the scoresheet. Griffiths played half an hour of the 3-1 Parkhead win. Alan Smith made it 4-1 after 63 minutes but Arsenal comfortably held on to bolster their position at the top of the Premiership and condemn Leeds to their fourth successive defeat. Leeds continued to battle gamely and did have one opportunity of their own in the final minute of normal time, when Harrison was played through on goal on the left flank, but Sokratis recovered to make an excellent challenge, allowing Arsenal to take their place in the fourth round and giving Arteta his second win as head coach. Bielsa and Leeds, meanwhile, were left to a rue an outcome which might have been very different had they taken some of their first-half chances. Arsenal 1-0 Leeds: Reiss Nelson strike sees Gunners progress, Reiss Nelson celebrates scoring Arsenal's goal, Jose: West Ham lucky, Moyes found 'new Fellaini', Carra: Title race blown open; Souness: It was an assault, Hits & misses: Same old Spurs, Man Utd finally start, Pep defends Aguero over Massey-Ellis incident, Wenger on Jose rivalry: I feel like I'm in kindergarten, Cavani trains with Man Utd for first time, Pep: Aguero must earn City contract extension, Van Dijk blow leaves Liverpool stepping into unknown, Leeds' Jack Harrison is closed down by Arsenal's Emiliano Martinez. Five days after the Arsenal victory, Reid was confirmed as the club’s manager, although he was sacked six months later. Arsenal swept aside Leeds at Elland Road with an awesome display of counter-attacking football. Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta: "I wasn't happy at all with the first 30, 35 minutes, how we started the game, how we approached the game. As the hosts struggled to string passes together, or even get out of their own half, Leeds were sensational. And Arsenal were soon causing the Leeds defence more problems. FA Cup: Arsenal v Leeds United-Preview. Soon after that, Patrick Bamford struck the top of the bar following a clever one-two with Luke Ayling. Subs: Martinelli (7), Willock (6), Saka (n/a) Henry latched onto Ashley Cole's long punt up-field and, leaving the home backline trailing in his wake, charged towards Paul Robinson's goal before slipping the ball past the Leeds goalkeeper with his right foot. “We were up against a terrific side but we showed perseverance, determination and a great ability never to give up,” he said. Emirates StadiumAttendance: Attendance58,403. Parlour, Silva, Ljungberg (Edu 71), Bergkamp (Aliadiere 77), Sokratis flicked a header wide from a corner, Martinelli tested Meslier with a low shot from the edge of the area and Lacazette had a penalty appeal turned down. Bridges (Milner 45). When I see what I don't want to see, and I'm not talking about technically or even tactically, I cannot be happy and I have to let them know. in the Center for him away by Michael Dubarry. I remember January 1, 2002, they were top of the table. They say nearly fell off completely. Arsenal paid the price for injuries to the likes of Sol Campbell and Patrick Vieira as they fell behind. Henry had another golden opportunity to complete his hat-trick but managed to pick out Ray Parlour on the Leeds goalline, while substitute Jeremie Aliadiere headed over from five yards. Reiss Nelson's goal sent Arsenal into the fourth round of the FA Cup after Leeds failed to capitalise on a dominant first-half display at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal The Scot did not watch the game because he was at his grandson’s birthday party but celebrated afterwards. Arsenal players could be seen arguing among themselves as Leeds kept coming forward. vs Leeds United. Read about Arsenal v Leeds in the Premier League 2002/03 season, including lineups, stats and live blogs, on the official website of the Premier League. I still think we could play the Brazilian national team.” Ferguson vindicated his decision to reverse his retirement during the previous season. The FA Cup Third Round. Subs Not Used: Carson, Harte, Duberry. Leeds: Robinson, Kelly, Camara, Roque Junior, Olembe, Pennant, FREE TO PLAY: Do not miss your chance to land the £250,000 jackpot for the sixth time this season. Salomon Olembe almost pulled one back, but his shot was saved by Lehmann. A Ruud Van Nistelrooy hat-trick and a David Beckham strike earned United a 4-1 win over Charlton the day before Arsenal welcomed Leeds to Highbury. The Arsenal boss maintained his side were “certainly the best team in England” after the defeat. The Sky Bet Championship leaders were outstanding before the break, showing their Premier League credentials as they attempted 15 shots to Arsenal's three and registered more than 60 per cent possession, but their wastefulness was punished when Nelson struck soon after half-time. Arsene Wenger’s side were unbeaten in the league until mid-October when a 16-year-old called Wayne Rooney netted his first league goal in the last minute at Goodison Park to hand Everton victory. Smith almost fuelled the crowd's hopes of a dramatic comeback but his strike crashed against the crossbar and rebounded to safety. Premier League Table: Arsenal vs Leeds - Kick Off: 16:05:00 04.05.2003. you can say about skill wide At the table when they first finish it hard of the season was published in August. More shambolic marking led to Arsenal's fourth. It was an eighth title in 11 years for Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad. Pascal Cygan, Freddie Ljungberg and Lauren all suffered injuries against Sam Allardyce’s side to join Campbell, Vieira, Edu and Francis Jeffers on the sidelines ahead of the visit of Leeds. Henry.Subs Not Used: Stack, Wiltord, Cygan. “We have the feeling that in recent weeks things went against us with injuries and suspensions especially,” the Frenchman added. It was an eighth title in … Check preview and live results for game But Leeds' determination was eventually rewarded, the irrepressible Smith deftly flicking 16-year-old Aaron Lennon's cross past Lehmann. Subs: Dallas (7), Costa (6), Stevens (6) Arteta: Playing Leeds like going to dentist. They created a succession of chances. Arsenal hit Leeds on the break again after 17 minutes, Dennis Bergkamp setting Freddie Ljungberg free down the right-hand side. All statistics are with charts. Martinez was forced into another scrambling save from Kalvin Phillips' free-kick, then Ezgjan Alioski, who was giving makeshift right-back Sokratis a torrid time, flashed a diagonal effort narrowly wide. New Year, same Super 6! The teenager has signed a four-year deal at Carrow Road. Here, the PA news agency looks back at the finale to the 2003 title race. The victory sent United eight points clear with a trip to Goodison to complete the campaign but Arsenal now had two games in hand. They had been two ahead at Bolton the previous weekend but saw three players go off injured and only managed a point. The first half was what we hoped for. But Arsenal's tempo was interrupted by half-time and Leeds snatched back the initiative as they begun the second half the way they had started the first. Such was Arsenal's effective start to the 2002–03 campaign, manager Arsène Wenger suggested his team could remain the whole season undefeated in all competitions: Arsenal twice fought back at Highbury thanks to equalisers from Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp but Mark Viduka sealed an away win in the closing stages. Batty, Seth Johnson, Sakho (Lennon 61), Smith, Hearts and Thistle failed to overturn their demotions and were denied any compensation. The result was just as important for Leeds as the victory all but secured their Premier League survival. Leeds struggled to replicate the energy levels shown in the first half, as Arsenal became the ones spurning their scoring opportunities. And Arsenal were soon causing the Leeds defence more problems. Arsenal gained some comfort by beating Southampton 1-0 in the FA Cup final and they regained their title in style the following year as they went the whole league campaign unbeaten. Leeds have not faced Arsenal since 2012 when Thierry Henry scored the only goal of the game having returned to the Emirates. “That can happen to anybody but I still believe we are the best team. Scores for match Arsenal - Leeds in Premier League.