Ramsey on bench as Gunners make nine changes

Aaron Ramsey was named in the Arsenal squad for the first time since February as Arsene Wenger made nine changes for the FA Cup third-round clash with Leeds.

The Wales international, recently back from a loan spell with Nottingham Forest after breaking his leg at Stoke last year, had to settle for a place on the bench, though, for the first clash between the two sides since Arsenal’s ’invincibles’ beat Leeds 5-0 in April 2004.

Ramsey was joined on the bench by captain Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott, while Kieran Gibbs returned to the starting line-up after a month out with injury.

Leeds made three changes to the side that lost its 12-game unbeaten run at Cardiff on Tuesday, with Luciano Becchio, Alex Bruce and Sanchez Watt all coming in.

Watt, on a season-long loan from Arsenal, was given permission to play by Wenger on Wednesday.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Eboue, Djourou, Squillaci, Gibbs, Rosicky, Denilson, Song, Arshavin, Bendtner, Chamakh.

Subs: Fabianski, Fabregas, Vela, Walcott, Ramsey, Clichy, Miquel.

Leeds: Schmeichel, Connolly, Bruce, O’Brien, Parker, Watt, Howson, Johnson, Gradel, Snodgrass, Becchio.

Subs: Higgs, Collins, Paynter, Hughes, Bromby, Somma, McCormack.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)