Keen angler Jonny Howson is looking to reel in his biggest catch yet – FA Cup opponents Arsenal.

There is no greater admirer of the Gunners than Leeds captain Howson, who leads his team out for today’s televised third-round tie.

Leeds-born Howson was first hooked on fishing as a schoolboy and says his biggest catch so far is a 14lb carp on a fishing trip two years ago at Bradford mere with his grandad Geoff, who is a keen United fan.

And there will be no carping from Leeds’ army of 8,500 travelling supporters if midfielder Howson gives Arsenal the same sinking feeling endured by Manchester United when United knocked them out at the same stage a year ago.

Howson, 22, has already stacked up 180 games for his home-town club and had been relishing the chance to lead his team out with Cesc Fabregas at his shoulder. However, Fabregas is one of several big fish manager Arsene Wenger intends resting.

Howson said before that news emerged last night: “Fabregas is one of the best players in the world. I would relish the challenge of playing against him because you want to test yourself against the best and become the best.”

Although Howson was not born in 1972 when Leeds defeated Arsenal to lift the FA Cup for the first and only time, he is well aware of the occasion.

He said: “It was a bit before my time but my grandad has told me about it. This is a huge game.

“We put the wind up a few Premiership teams last season and, with some of the players in our dressing room, we can do it again this season.

“We won’t be going there scared or fearing the worst. We are looking forward to taking on Arsenal and giving it our best shot.”

Yet Howson insists promotion is Leeds’ prime target and says: “I was brought up supporting Leeds when they were a Premier League club, so I am aware of what things can be like if we get back there.

“I enjoyed watching them in the Champions League when I was in the youth team and it would be good to get those days back.

“In the meantime, taking on Arsenal is an exciting challenge. They play the game the way it should be played. When you play against better players you seem to raise your own game – who knows why.

“Even if Arsene Wenger puts his second team out, it won’t make much difference because the players who come in will be hungry to do well, so we know how tough it will be.

“We can’t give them too much respect because if we give them space and time, with the ability they’ve got, they will take us apart.

“We have to get close to them and stop them from playing, which is obviously going to be very difficult – as some of the top teams have already found out this season – but we won’t be overawed by them.”

Howson was thrilled when his grandad told him Leeds legends and local radio pundits Eddie Gray and Peter Lorimer had been lavishing praise on his performances in Leeds’ midfield.

He said: “We all want to be inspired by the great players of the past and the praise from Eddie and Peter makes me proud. It drives me on.”

Howson is the youngest captain Leeds have had since Billy Bremner, who has a statue at Elland Road in his honour.

He said: “I would love to have a statue outside the ground like him. It would mean I had achieved something in my career and in my life.”