Arsenal 1 Leeds United 1

KASPER SCHMEICHEL is hoping a hostile Elland Road atmosphere can help his Leeds side dump Arsenal out of the FA Cup when the two sides meet in a third-round replay.

Saturday’s clash at the Emirates had looked as though it would go the way of the Championship side, with Robert Snodgrass putting them ahead with a penalty in the 54th minute, while at the other end, goalkeeper Schmeichel produced a performance reminiscent of father Peter, so often a scourge of Arsenal during his Manchester United days.

But, with just 30 seconds of normal time to go, Ben Parker’s tug on Theo Walcott’s arm prompted referee Phil Dowd to point to the spot for a second time, allowing Cesc Fabregas to save Arsenal from a maiden third-round exit under Arsene Wenger.

But Schmeichel feels that the second-tier promotion hopefuls can still cause an upset when the two sides meet again in West Yorkshire.

He said: “With the players we’ve got, I think we should be confident against anybody, especially at Elland Road. The atmosphere we can create there is very intimidating.

“Arsenal will be used to playing in that sort of atmosphere, but we’ll be confident.

“Playing at the Emirates is not different to playing at Elland Road. It’s a great place to play. Playing in great stadiums in front of great fans is what you’re in football for. You want to be at these venues and it’s just another one of those.’’ Leeds took 9,000 fans to north London and, once Snodgrass had scored from the spot following Denilson’s foul on Max Gradel, it looked as though they would be returning to Yorkshire celebrating another scalp, following last year’s win at Manchester United.

A similarly fervent atmosphere will await Arsenal next week, but Schmeichel knows he and his team-mates will need more than crowd support if they are to progress to the next round.

“The fans are unbelievable. That’s Leeds for you there. That’s what they do,” he said.

“Elland Road is a great place, an amazing place to play. The fans make it special.

“It gives us a lift I’d say but not an edge because Arsenal are a great team. We expect them to come and have a lot of possession. But we’re confident that given the chance we’ll score goals.”

While Schmeichel repelled Arsenal with a string of fine saves, Leeds had other impressive performers such as Snodgrass and the transfer-listed midfielder Bradley Johnson.

Manager Simon Grayson, though, is not worried about any of his players moving on to bigger things during this transfer window.

“That is the risk you have at any football club when the window’s open,” he said.

“There will be players other clubs will be looking at, but we don’t need to sell any of our best players because financially we are sound.

“Every player has a price on his head, that has been proved in the past with Ronaldo going to Real Madrid. It might take that sort of money to let go one or two of my players!

“It’s the territory of the transfer window. But there aren’t too many clubs bigger than Leeds United and hopefully one day a lot of these players will fulfil their potential with this football club in the Premier League.

‘‘But there is a lot of work still to be done.”