It took a 90th minute Cesc Fabregas to spare Arsenal's blushes against a determined Leeds side who caused a significant scare for the Gunners at the Emirates.
A silly foul from Denilson on Max Gradel gave Leeds a second-half penalty which Robert Snodgrass duly converted in front of a stunned and largely silent home crowd. It was from then on in, except for a Luciano Becchio chance with which he should have done better, a dominant affair in which Arsenal chased the equaliser and Leeds defended manfully.
The Championship side's resolve eventually broke when Theo Walcott – minutes after stumbling in the box, a fall that he later admitted to as a dive – was pulled back by Parker to give Arsenal a penalty. Cesc Fabregas put it away and took the game to a replay.
Despite conceding a last minute equaliser, Leeds' players and fans celebrated as if they had won the tie and will feel that they have nothing to fear in front of what will surely be a rocking Elland Road.
Hosts look to repeat last season's shock
It was at this stage last season that Leeds knocked out their fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in seven years and on current home form, Simon Grayson's side will feel confident of repeating a similar feat against Arsenal.
Undefeated in seven at Elland Road, Leeds haven't tasted defeat on home soil since October and come into this game sitting comfortably in the play-offs, having easily disposed of Scunthorpe 4-0 at the weekend.
A victory against Arsenal would be the club's 100th in the FA Cup.
Gunners aiming for 15th consecutive fourth round appearance
Arsene Wenger is yet to taste defeat in the FA Cup third round and he will be aiming to progress not only to maintain his side's fantastic record in the competition, but to also reassure the fans that he is taking the competition seriously this season.
Arsenal come into the tie in fantastic form and were in superb shape against West Ham at the weekend, playing wonderful football and were clinical in front of goal.
The visitors have lost only one in seven and despite playing what is expected to be a weakened team, they will go into the game as clear favourites.
TEAM NEWS
Leeds
The hosts will welcome Arsenal in buoyant mood having demolished a lacklustre Scunthorpe side and the team that got the 4-0 victory against the Championship strugglers is likely to start largely unchanged against the North London side.
However, Simon Grayson may be forced to start without Argentinian striker Luciano Becchio at Elland Road, with the club's leading scorer suffering with back trouble picked up in Saturday's win.
George McCartney has re-signed on loan for the club until the end of the season but is ineligible for the match, with Ben Parker the likeliest to take his place at left-back.
Possible starting XI: Schmeichel; Connolly, Bruce, O'Brien, Parker; Johnson, Howson, Snodgrass, Watt; Gradel, Becchio
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger's side will travel to Leeds with a cautious optimism following their comfortable 3-0 defeat of West Ham at the the weekend, though changes from that side are a near certainty with Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie all likely to be rested.
Tomas Rosicky is set to return to the Arsenal fold following a virus that kept the Czech midfielder out of the Gunners' visit to Upton Park, as is Bacary Sagna who has been suspended since the beginning of the month for his red card away at Manchester City. Aaron Ramsey, who is yet to play for Arsenal since breaking his leg in February, is in the squad and may start.
Manuel Almunia (ankle), Sebastien Squillaci (hamstring), Abou Diaby (calf), and Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) will all miss out as they continue their respective recoveries.
Possible starting XI: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs; Rosicky, Denilson, Wilshere; Arshavin, Chamakh, Bendtner
Prediction
Leeds 1-2 Arsenal
