Fabregas spares Arsenal blushes

Arsene Wenger was a relieved man after Cesc Fabregas’ injury-time penalty saved Arsenal from a shock FA Cup exit at home to Leeds.

The visitors went 1-0 up courtesy of a Robert Snodgrass penalty in the 53rd minute at the Emirates Stadium.

While the pressure from Arsenal mounted on Leeds in the last 30 minutes, the Championship club appeared set to hang on for a famous upset, until Ben Parker was judged to have fouled Theo Walcott inside the box with minutes remaining.

Skipper Fabregas, on as a substitute, struck the resultant spot-kick beyond Leeds goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and into the net to take the tie to a reply.

“I must say at first that it was a very difficult game because it was a real Cup game and Leeds were up for it, they played well,” Wenger said.

“It was the kind of game where you felt that it was important not to go 1-0 down.”

“When we were 1-0 down I felt that Wojciech [Szczesny] kept us in the game with a good save from [Luciano] Becchio’s header.”

“We looked like we would come back, but we were short of time and it was important to keep the momentum and not to go out today because that would have been a shocker.”

“Even when we equalised we still had three chances at 1-1, but we couldn’t take them.”

“At least we are still in the Cup and hopefully we can do it at Leeds.”

Wenger paid tribute the visitors, who caused the hosts problems without resorting to bullying tactics.

“They did very well, very aggressive but in a good way, not a negative way, they closed us down everywhere and we had problems to pass through their lines,” he said.

“They were dangerous as well and it was important for us not to give a goal away, but we did.”

“Leeds were well organised, they were quickly on us and maybe our game was not quick enough to get out of their pressure.”