It is fitting that in a fixture that has history an Arsenal legend is poised to make his return, as Thierry Henry, the club's all-time top goalscorer, readies himself for his second debut for the Gunners in an FA Cup third round tie against Leeds United

With minutes to spare on Friday, Arsenal rubber-stamped their agreement with New York Red Bulls to take Henry, 35, on a two-month loan deal in a bid to lighten the burden on star striker Robin van Persie's shoulders, with Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh both departing for the African Nations Cup in January.Henry has been keen to stress he has been brought in as cover, stating: "I'll be on the bench most of the time." Indeed, it is anticipated, with the Frenchman not yet match fit, he will not make the starting XI versus Leeds at Emirates Stadium, but could certainly be called upon as a substitute to what will surely be a memorable and emotional reception.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, though, will be wary of sentiment taking over the fixture, which represents a chance for his team to resolve their infamous record of having not lifted a trophy since 2005 - when they beat Manchester United in this competition's showpiece.Certainly Van Persie will be rested for this match, meaning Park Chu-Young could be handed just his fifth start for the club he joined from Monaco in the summer, with pressure on the South Korean to take his opportunity to shine with both hands. Chamakh could also feature in one last outing before he joins up with Morocco.

Arsenal's injury list is extensive, in particular in defence, with Thomas Vermaelen, Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna, Carl Jenkinson, Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby all absent. Johan Djourou, meanwhile, is suspended following his dismissal in the late loss at Fulham.

This is a familiar fixture for Leeds - who are currently eighth in the Championship after ending a three-game losing streak - after they were drawn against Arsenal at the same stage of the FA Cup last season. In that meeting, they held the Premier League side to a 1-1 stalemate in North London, before losing 3-1 at Elland Road in their replay.

The forthcoming match-up will be the pair's 15th meeting in the FA Cup, with Arsenal having won six, drawn seven and lost two. And, fittingly, Henry has scored 11 goals in 11 games against Leeds in all competitions, including four in his last appearance against them at Highbury.

Arsenal player to watch: Thierry Henry. Who else? He may have lost that blistering pace, but his footballing brain remains. Henry, who scored seven times in 24 FA Cup appearances for Arsenal, should get some game time on Monday night, and all eyes will be on the World Cup winner. Should he be deployed on the left of a three-pronged attack, nostalgia will be in the air, with the home faithful willing him to cut inside before curling coolly into the far corner.

Leeds player to watch: Ross McCormack. The Scotland international has a decent goalscoring record for Leeds this season, netting 11 times in 24 Championship appearances, and he may well fancy his chances against a depleted Arsenal backline. Such are the Gunners' injury woes that predicting their defensive four is an almighty conundrum. Hence, their unfamiliarity is surely a weakness to be exploited. McCormack, 25, who joined Leeds from Cardiff in 2010 on a free transfer, is a diminutive frontman - at 5' 7" - but will aim to use his off-the-ball movement to unsettle the home team's rearguard.

Key Battle: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain v Adam Clayton. It is a cliché, but games are indeed often won and lost in midfield. And from midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain, plenty more will be expected, the former Southampton player having impressed in bursts since joining Arsenal for around £12 million. All of the 18-year-old's five starts this season have come in cup tournaments, and he looks a shoo-in to begin from the off against Simon Grayson's Whites. Clayton, though, will be itching to steal the limelight, the 22-year-old having emerged as a regular for Leeds this season, missing just one of his team's league matches to date. And he's got an eye for goal, with five netted this campaign.

Trivia: Arsenal have made it past the third round in each of the last 15 seasons in the FA Cup, a longer run than any other side.

Stats: Leeds have lifted the FA Cup once, in 1972, while Arsenal have claimed glory in this competition on ten occasions.

Match

Igwe

i expect a trashing!

5 - 1 i will say

TH - 3 goals!!

i bet 2-0 for gunners

First team MF should be able to help out other parts of the team where we might be a bit lacking in quality. I hope Chamakh stands up to be counted today and gets into the goal scoring groove again.

Game on!

ox!!!

arshahohohohohoh!!! you can do berra

been trying to locate this thread  .

choi see titi

Can't believe Arshavin wasted that chance. . .he needs to remove the subsidy on his leg.

^
you are terrible

chiamaka should score today jare

townsend forgets that he is a spuddie?

nonsense. see the sheep wan show himself . .there is only one song

slap1:

Can't believe Arshavin wasted that chance. . .he needs to remove the subsidy on his leg.

Le Coq. . .easy o. English refs are now weirdos!

Ramsey the magician !!  

nor be by skill o,  go score goal for me

hbeheheheh squills wan score  

lets go there leeds  

ramsey dey behave today o

this ref is blind that tackle was harsh on arshahohoho

miguel

We need to score o, abeg. . . Arshavin, get up! Or get out!

just when i wanted to sing a song for ramsey . , . . . . sigh . .

good run arshavin

Arshavin is of fayaaa today, we need more heat though 

Looking like the arshavin i used to know with that last attack.

Arshaviiiin! Use the handbrake, will you!

Are u sure that is arshavin?

Good start.

manmustwac:

[size=24pt]COME ON LEEDS UNITED[/size]

You can occupyNigeria, not the Emirates. . . GO TO BED!

Roland17:

Are u sure that is arshavin?

seriously o

i am impressed!

Roland17:

Are u sure that is arshavin?

yes its arsharubbishbin

We should be leading Leeds now. Haba!