The tie has been selected for live coverage by Sky, and will be on Sunday January 4th kicking off at five past 4.

Our last 2 visits to Elland Rd have resulted in convincing 4-1 wins, and many Arsenal fans will be expecting an easy win. But Eddie Gray does seem to be in the process of turning things round at Leeds so this is a genuine potential banana skin.

Last time we played them, Arsenal's Leeds player Jermaine Pennant was kept pretty quiet by Ashley Cole and Robert Pires. But he's still a threat as he showed by scoring a wonder-goal against Chelsea at the weekend. Cole will presumably be returning to the side for this match following his 3 match ban.

Leeds will probably have new owners sometime between now and then. It'll probably be a bit too soon into the January transfer window for them to have any new players yet, though. They might have gotten rid of one or two.

There are rumours linking us with Alan Smith this week. It's probably no coincidence that these stories have come out in the wake of the FA Cup draw. Smith is Leeds through-and-through and I have to admit I'm in the camp that thinks his disciplinary record would count against him in the eyes of the Arsenal manager and board. Great player though, and versatile. He seems to be revelling in the midfield role they've found for him recently.