The Arsenal skipper converted a spot-kick in the 90th minute at the Emirates to prevent Leeds from causing a second huge upset in as many years, having beaten Mancester United at Old Trafford in the third round last season.

Robert Snodgrass had given the Championship side the lead from the penalty spot after 54 minutes, but Leeds were unable to hold on in a frantic finish, and the teams will meet again at Elland Road.

Arsene Wenger made nine changes from the team that drew 0-0 with Manchester City in midweek - just Johan Djourou and Alex Song remained.

However, he was able to bring in the likes of Andrei Arshavin, Maruoane Shemack and Tomas Rosicky, meaning even his second-string side was shot through with quality.

Sanchez Watt, on loan from Arsenal, played for Leeds and posed some questions with his searing pace - on one occasion he sprinted past the startled Rosicky, who brought him down with a push in the back and earned the game's first booking.

After a slow start, Arsenal's punches finally started to hit their target towards the half-hour mark, when they produced a flurry of blows but were somehow unable to knock their opponents out.

Kasper Schmeichel had earlier raced off his line to deny Arshavin with a save the goalkeeper's father Peter would have been proud of, and was at it again on 28 minutes when he dived low to his left to stop a volley from the Russian.

A minute later, Schmeichel was beaten but Jonny Howson cleared an Alex Song effort off the line from a corner.

Denilson then tested Schmeichel with a long-range shot, and from the resultant corner it was Luciano Becchio's turn to clear off the line from his position on the near post.

Early in the second half, Leeds went in front after a crude challenge by Denilson on Max Gradel, and Snodgrass drove the penalty low into the right corner.

Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela came off the bench as the Gunners poured forward.

Marouane Chamakh went close with a header, and Walcott shot straight at Schmeichel, but there was drama to come as the match reached its climax.

In the 88th minute, Alex Bruce upended Walcott and referee Phil Dowd pointed to the spot, but changed his mind when his linesman flagged for an offside that took place after the foul.

Arsenal had little time to complain, because 60 seconds later they did have a penalty when Ben Parker pulled back Walcott - Fabregas made no mistake from 12 yards.

It was not over, though, and Arsenal poured forward in stoppage time. Nikclas Benthner rampaged through on to a long ball, but volleyed dreadfully wide.

Then Schmeichel produced a miraculous save to tip Denilson's 20-yarder wide. And there was still time for Walcott to drill a shot into the side netting.

For all Arsenal's dominance, a draw seemed a fair result, and this rumbustuous affair was the perfect way to kick off an FA Cup third round weekend.