Leeds 1 Arsenal 4 has become an all-too familiarly depressing scoreline for home fans in recent times - and so it proved again as the Gunners began their defence of the FA Cup in emphatic fashion.

Thierry Henry again provided the classy cutting edge for Arsene Wenger's side as Arsenal victoriously embarked on the road to a fourth successive visit to the Millennium Stadium with a third consecutive 4-1 triumph over Leeds at Elland Road.

Leeds showed commendable spirit on this occasion, more than they had in the past two Premiership encounters, yet in Henry found a man at the peak of his career.

The France international striker scored one and made the second and third as Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run in the competition to 15 matches.

Yet notwithstanding two goals in the closing few minutes, Wenger's side had to scrap for every ball - with the final scoreline perhaps rough justice on Leeds.

There were even early signs this was going to be a rare off-day for Arsenal, one needed if Leeds - ranked 5-1 to win the game before kick-off - were to have any hope of an upset.

Inside four minutes Martin Keown and Lauren sprayed uncharacteristically aimless balls into touch, with Leeds taking heart and pouncing on the next mistake to clinical effect.

Captain Dominic Matteo pressurised Lauren into a hasty pass across the back line.

There was still little danger when Sol Campbell in turn played a simple ball back to Jens Lehmann, and the Germany international's first touch was heavy.

The predatory Mark Viduka, sensing an opportunity, closed in and stretched out his right leg to block Lehmann's attempted clearance - and the ball rebounded into the net.

It allowed the Australia international to celebrate his fifth goal of the season and third in five matches, further adding to his potential transfer value should he end up leaving Elland Road by the end of the month.

With their noses in front, Leeds scented Arsenal were vulnerable. James Milner - celebrating his 18th birthday - forced a fine, low save from the rattled Lehmann; then Viduka flashed a first-time drive inches beyond the post.

But Arsenal, who had been dominating possession, stepped up a gear and in the space of seven minutes turned the tie on its head.

Wenger's side showed just why they have not been beaten in this competition since the 2001 final against Liverpool - and why they have yet to taste defeat in the Barclaycard Premiership this season.

The string of passes which set up the 26th-minute equaliser was accurate and incisive - culminating in Freddie Ljungberg delivering a stunning right-wing cross for Henry to volley home his 17th goal of the season from 12 yards.

Arsenal were in full flow and repeated their cutting-edge football in the 33rd minute, with play switching from left to right in a heartbeat.

Patrick Vieira initially played a ball out wide to Henry - and the World Player of the Year runner-up delivered a first-time, inch-perfect ball into the area where Edu slid home his third of the season past wrong-footed goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Arsenal could have been out of sight inside the opening five minutes of the second half.

After being scythed open again by Henry and Kanu, Leeds were indebted to Matthew Kilgallon for clearing Edu's sidefoot shot off the line.

Henry then saw a 22-yard free-kick skim off the Leeds wall and on to the roof of the net, before Campbell headed narrowly over from the ensuing corner.

Leeds were refusing to let their heads drop and continued to run and scrap for every ball.

But for a timely clearance from Martin Keown to deny Matteo on the hour, the Whites could have been back on level terms.

Michael Duberry then did likewise to Ljungberg in the 63rd minute after Henry had provided the cutting pass from the left, before the latter was involved in the move which resulted in Kanu driving a half-volley at Robinson moments later.

Then a little more than three minutes from time, Henry was again provider - setting up one of Wenger's triple 80th-minute substitutions in Robert Pires for a simple sidefoot finish beyond Robinson.

In injury time, it was Pires who then fed another of the new arrivals in Kolo Toure for a close-range volley as Arsenal again punished Leeds.

Teams

Leeds: Robinson, Richardson, Duberry, Kilgallon, Harte, Bakke (Sakho 70), Smith, Batty, Matteo, Milner (Lennon 84), Viduka.

Subs Not Used: Carson, Johnson, Olembe.

Booked: Bakke, Smith.

Goals: Viduka 8.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Keown, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg (Toure 81), Vieira, Silva, Edu (Parlour 80), Kanu (Pires 81), Henry.

Subs Not Used: Shaaban, Bentley.

Booked: Silva.

Goals: Henry 26, Edu 33, Pires 87, Toure 90.

Att: 31,207

Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).