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Match Report

English FA Cup

Saturday, 18 April 2015,

Reading
1
-
Full Time
Live
-
2
Arsenal
  • Kickoff: 17:20 BST
  • Stadium: Wembley Stadium
  • Referee: -
  • Stadium: Wembley Stadium
  • Attendance: 84,081
  • 54' Garath McCleary
  • 39' Alexis Sánchez
  • 106' Alexis Sánchez

Reading

Half time

Full time

Arsenal

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Pearce: More to Royals than form

A five-match winless streak is far from ideal preparation for an FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal - but Alex Pearce believes Reading are far better than that poor run suggests.

The Royals have endured a tough time this season, with their second campaign back in the Championship one of strife and struggle.

They have enjoyed some relief in the FA Cup, though, and head to Wembley this weekend for their first semi-final in 88 years.

Pearce and his team-mates can become the first Reading side to reach the final if they overcome Arsenal, although that is easier said than done against a side on a run of eight successive Premier League wins.

If that was not enough, the Royals have failed to win since overcoming Bradford in their quarter-final replay - not that vice-captain Pearce is worrying too much about that.

"We're certainly due a win, aren't we?," he said, smiling. "We haven't won since that, but we haven't played that badly in the last few games.

"We can't quite believe we've only got three points from the last four games because we feel we played well.

"Saturday is just a one-off game and we'll go into it with high spirits and the attitude to get a good result.

"It's much higher opposition and we all know what we're in for. There are players in the dressing room who have played in the Premier League before and have played against Arsenal before.

"We know there are top quality players all over the pitch.

"The manager will prepare us really well, we'll go with a game plan and hopefully we can carry that out."

The Berkshire town is abuzz with excitement ahead of just the second semi-final appearance in the club's history.

Pearce, with the club since the age of 12, cannot wait for the match but will not allow himself to dream of a return at the end of May.

"You take one step at a time," the Ireland international said. "All we need to worry about is the game on Saturday.

"If we start thinking about the final, and that kind of thing, we'll slip up and won't do what we have to do.

"We have to go there with a game plan, do as many things right as we can and hopefully get a result."

Defender Per Mertesacker believes Arsenal have become a stronger unit from their FA Cup success of last season, but cannot allow themselves any sense of complacency.

The Gunners head into the tie on the back of a superb run of form, which has seen them win 16 from 18 matches in all competitions and up into second place in the Barclays Premier League.

The atmosphere around the club is certainly a world way from the tense finale to the 2013/2014 campaign, when Arsenal were under extreme pressure in the quest to finally end a near decade wait for silverware as well as finish in the top four of the Barclays Premier League once again, not to mention the uncertainty around the future of manager Arsene Wenger.

Those ambitions were within eight minutes of being shattered when trailing 1-0 to Wigan in their semi-final 12 months ago, before Mertesacker made amends for giving away an earlier penalty when heading home a late equaliser to force extra-time and a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out victory that in turn set up a final against Hull, which itself proved just as dramatic as Arsenal came from 2-0 down to lift the trophy.

"It is a good warning to all of us. You need to be focused 100% Reading, so it is going to be a tough one for us," said the German, who will again lead the team out at Wembley with captain Mikel Arteta still not fit.

"We suffered a bit last season on that occasion with that pressure, but it was a great experience and hopefully we can manage that a bit better.

"We are on a good level of confidence, but there will be pressure on us because we are super favourites and can we handle that during the game?"

121'

Jordan Obita blocks the shot

121'

Olivier Giroud hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

121'

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Free Kick at 121'

121'

End of the game

121'

The referee has signaled the end of the second half of extra time

120'

Daniel Williams commits a foul on Theo Walcott resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

120'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

119'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

119'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

119'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

119'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

119'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

118'

Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal) Free Kick at 118'

117'

Offside called on Jamie Mackie

116'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

116'

Michael Hector crosses the ball.

115'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

115'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

115'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

115'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

115'

Jordan Obita crosses the ball.

115'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

115'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

115'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

114'

Wojciech Szczesny takes a long goal kick

114'

Daniel Williams hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss right

114'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

113'

Santi Cazorla clears the ball from danger.

113'

Jamie Mackie crosses the ball.

113'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

113'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

113'

Chris Gunter (Reading) Free Kick at 113'

113'

Alexis Sánchez commits a foul on Chris Gunter resulting on a free kick for Reading

113'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

112'

Olivier Giroud hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: hit post

112'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Defending)

112'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Attacking)

111'

Reading makes a sub: Yakubu Aiyegbeni enters for Pavel Pogrebnyak. Reason: Tactical

110'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

110'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Defending)

110'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

109'

Jordan Obita (Reading) Free Kick at 109'

108'

Gabriel Paulista

108'

Gabriel Paulista commits a foul on Daniel Williams resulting on a free kick for Reading

108'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

107'

Mesut Özil hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss right

107'

Throw-in: Mathieu Debuchy takes it (Attacking)

107'

Alex Pearce clears the ball from danger.

107'

Wojciech Szczesny takes a long goal kick

106'

Jamie Mackie hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: over bar

106'

Reading makes a sub: Simon Cox enters for Nathaniel Chalobah. Reason: Tactical

106'

The second half of extra time is under way

106'

1 - 2

Goal!! Alexis Sánchez hits a right footed shot to the lower left corner from the left penalty area and scores!! Arsenal now leads 2 - 1

106'

Alexis Sánchez hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: goal

106'

That last goal was assisted by Mesut Özil (Pass from Left Wing)

106'

The referee has signaled the end of the first half of extra time

105'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

105'

Jem Karacan crosses the ball.

105'

Gabriel Paulista blocks the shot

105'

Pavel Pogrebnyak hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

105'

Michael Hector clears the ball from danger.

105'

Kieran Gibbs crosses the ball.

104'

Alex Pearce clears the ball from danger.

104'

Daniel Williams clears the ball from danger.

104'

Pavel Pogrebnyak clears the ball from danger.

104'

Alex Pearce clears the ball from danger.

104'

Adam Federici makes the save (Parry)

104'

Aaron Ramsey hits an impressive right footed shot. Outcome: save

103'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Defending)

102'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Attacking)

102'

Chris Gunter clears the ball from danger.

101'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

101'

Arsenal makes a sub: Theo Walcott enters for Francis Coquelin. Reason: Tactical

100'

Adam Federici (Reading) Free Kick at 100'

100'

Offside called on Olivier Giroud

99'

Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) Free Kick at 99'

99'

Pavel Pogrebnyak commits a foul on Francis Coquelin resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

99'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

98'

Aaron Ramsey crosses the ball.

98'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Attacking)

98'

Alex Pearce clears the ball from danger.

96'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

96'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

96'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

96'

Chris Gunter clears the ball from danger.

96'

Kieran Gibbs crosses the ball.

95'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

95'

Santi Cazorla clears the ball from danger.

94'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

94'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

94'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

93'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

93'

Santi Cazorla hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: over bar

91'

Throw-in: Mathieu Debuchy takes it (Defending)

91'

The extra time is under way

91'+2

Adam Federici makes the save (Catch)

91'+1

Olivier Giroud hits a good header. Outcome: save

91'+1

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 92'

91'+1

Jem Karacan commits a foul on Alexis Sánchez resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

91'+1

Alex Pearce clears the ball from danger.

91'

Chris Gunter clears the ball from danger.

91'

Kieran Gibbs crosses the ball.

91'

Chris Gunter clears the ball from danger.

90'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

90'

Reading makes a sub: Jem Karacan enters for Hal Robson-Kanu. Reason: Tactical

89'

Aaron Ramsey hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: over bar

89'

Jamie Mackie crosses the ball.

88'

Aaron Ramsey crosses the ball.

88'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Defending)

87'

Michael Hector clears the ball from danger.

87'

Garath McCleary clears the ball from danger.

87'

Kieran Gibbs crosses the ball.

87'

Wojciech Szczesny makes the save (Other)

87'

Pavel Pogrebnyak hits a left footed shot. Outcome: save

87'

Michael Hector clears the ball from danger.

87'

Aaron Ramsey crosses the ball.

86'

Michael Hector clears the ball from danger.

86'

Kieran Gibbs crosses the ball.

86'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Attacking)

85'

Alexis Sánchez crosses the ball.

84'

Aaron Ramsey hits an impressive left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: hit post

84'

Adam Federici makes the save (Fumble)

84'

Aaron Ramsey hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

83'

Wojciech Szczesny makes the save (Parry)

83'

Nathaniel Chalobah hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

83'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

83'

Wojciech Szczesny clears the ball from danger.

83'

Adam Federici (Reading) Free Kick at 83'

83'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

82'

Olivier Giroud commits a foul on Alex Pearce resulting on a free kick for Reading

82'

Alex Pearce clears the ball from danger.

81'

Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) Free Kick at 81'

81'

Offside called on Jamie Mackie

80'

Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Free Kick at 80'

80'

Daniel Williams commits a foul on Francis Coquelin resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

80'

Michael Hector blocks the shot

80'

Olivier Giroud hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

79'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

79'

Mesut Özil hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: over bar

79'

Wojciech Szczesny takes a short goal kick

78'

Pavel Pogrebnyak hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss right

78'

Michael Hector clears the ball from danger.

78'

Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal) Free Kick at 78'

78'

Jordan Obita commits a foul on Mathieu Debuchy resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

77'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

75'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

75'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

75'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

75'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

75'

Olivier Giroud clears the ball from danger.

75'

Nathaniel Chalobah curls a right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss right

75'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

74'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

74'

Francis Coquelin clears the ball from danger.

74'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

74'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

73'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

73'

Gabriel Paulista hits a good header, but it is off target. Outcome: miss right

73'

Mesut Özil crosses the ball.

73'

Mesut Özil (Arsenal) Free Kick at 73'

72'

Hal Robson-Kanu commits a foul on Aaron Ramsey resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

72'

Wojciech Szczesny takes a long goal kick

72'

Arsenal makes a sub: Olivier Giroud enters for Danny Welbeck. Reason: Tactical

71'

Jordan Obita crosses the ball.

71'

Jordan Obita (Reading) Free Kick at 71'

71'

Laurent Koscielny commits a foul on Pavel Pogrebnyak resulting on a free kick for Reading

70'

Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) Free Kick at 70'

70'

Hal Robson-Kanu commits a foul on Francis Coquelin resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

70'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

69'

Adam Federici makes the save (Fumble)

69'

Gabriel Paulista hits a good header. Outcome: save

68'

Garath McCleary clears the ball from danger.

67'

Wojciech Szczesny takes a long goal kick

67'

Daniel Williams hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss right

66'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

66'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

65'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

65'

Hal Robson-Kanu crosses the ball.

65'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

65'

Hal Robson-Kanu crosses the ball.

65'

Throw-in: Mathieu Debuchy takes it (Attacking)

65'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

64'

Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) Free Kick at 64'

64'

Offside called on Pavel Pogrebnyak

64'

Gabriel Paulista clears the ball from danger.

64'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Attacking)

63'

Arsenal makes a sub: Gabriel Paulista enters for Per Mertesacker. Reason: Injury

62'

Garath McCleary crosses the ball.

62'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

60'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Defending)

59'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 59'

58'

Offside called on Jamie Mackie

58'

Chris Gunter clears the ball from danger.

57'

Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Free Kick at 57'

57'

Hal Robson-Kanu commits a foul on Mesut Özil resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

57'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

57'

Jordan Obita crosses the ball.

56'

Per Mertesacker clears the ball from danger.

54'

1 - 1

Goal!! Garath McCleary hits a right footed shot to the lower right corner from the centre penalty area and scores!! The game is now tied at 1

54'

Garath McCleary hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: goal

54'

That last goal was assisted by Pavel Pogrebnyak

54'

Pavel Pogrebnyak crosses the ball.

54'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

54'

Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Free Kick at 54'

54'

Offside called on Jamie Mackie

53'

Wojciech Szczesny takes a long goal kick

53'

Hal Robson-Kanu crosses the ball.

52'

Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) Free Kick at 52'

51'

Hal Robson-Kanu commits a foul on Mesut Özil resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

51'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

51'

Kieran Gibbs clears the ball from danger.

50'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

50'

Michael Hector (Reading) Free Kick at 50'

50'

Alexis Sánchez commits a foul on Chris Gunter resulting on a free kick for Reading

50'

Per Mertesacker clears the ball from danger.

50'

Francis Coquelin clears the ball from danger.

50'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

49'

Per Mertesacker hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss left

49'

Santi Cazorla crosses the ball.

49'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 49'

48'

Michael Hector commits a foul on Alexis Sánchez resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

48'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

48'

Kieran Gibbs clears the ball from danger.

48'

Michael Hector (Reading) Free Kick at 48'

47'

Mesut Özil commits a foul on Michael Hector resulting on a free kick for Reading

47'

Wojciech Szczesny takes a long goal kick

47'

Garath McCleary (Reading) Free Kick at 46'

46'

Santi Cazorla commits a foul on Daniel Williams resulting on a free kick for Reading

46'

Alex Pearce clears the ball from danger.

46'

The second half is under way

46'+1

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Free Kick at 47'

46'+1

Nathaniel Chalobah

46'+1

Nathaniel Chalobah commits a foul on Kieran Gibbs resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

46'

Mesut Özil (Arsenal) Free Kick at 46'

46'

Jordan Obita commits a foul on Mesut Özil resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

46'

The referee has signaled the end of the first half

45'

Per Mertesacker clears the ball from danger.

45'

Daniel Williams hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss right

45'

Garath McCleary crosses the ball.

45'

Pavel Pogrebnyak clears the ball from danger.

44'

Alex Pearce clears the ball from danger.

44'

Jordan Obita clears the ball from danger.

44'

Mathieu Debuchy crosses the ball.

44'

Danny Welbeck crosses the ball.

43'

Mesut Özil (Arsenal) Free Kick at 43'

42'

Daniel Williams commits a foul on Alexis Sánchez resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

42'

Alex Pearce (Reading) Free Kick at 42'

41'

Alexis Sánchez commits a foul on Nathaniel Chalobah resulting on a free kick for Reading

39'

0 - 1

Goal!! Alexis Sánchez hits a right footed shot to the lower left corner from the centre penalty area and scores!! Arsenal now leads 1 - 0

39'

Alexis Sánchez hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: goal

39'

That last goal was assisted by Mesut Özil

38'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

38'

Kieran Gibbs clears the ball from danger.

37'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Defending)

35'

Throw-in: Aaron Ramsey takes it (Attacking)

35'

Alex Pearce clears the ball from danger.

35'

Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) Free Kick at 35'

35'

Handball called on Alex Pearce

34'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

34'

Jordan Obita crosses the ball.

33'

Kieran Gibbs clears the ball from danger.

33'

Per Mertesacker clears the ball from danger.

33'

Jamie Mackie crosses the ball.

33'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

30'

Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Free Kick at 30'

30'

Daniel Williams commits a foul on Francis Coquelin resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

29'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

29'

Throw-in: Aaron Ramsey takes it (Attacking)

28'

Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal) Free Kick at 28'

27'

Offside called on Jamie Mackie

27'

Per Mertesacker clears the ball from danger.

27'

Chris Gunter crosses the ball.

27'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

26'

Kieran Gibbs clears the ball from danger.

26'

Adam Federici makes the save (Catch)

26'

Alexis Sánchez hits a good header. Outcome: save

26'

Mathieu Debuchy crosses the ball.

26'

Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Free Kick at 25'

25'

Daniel Williams commits a foul on Santi Cazorla resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

25'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

25'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

25'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

24'

Wojciech Szczesny takes a long goal kick

24'

Garath McCleary crosses the ball.

23'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

23'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Defending)

23'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

22'

Santi Cazorla curls a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss left

22'

Throw-in: Danny Welbeck takes it (Attacking)

22'

Chris Gunter clears the ball from danger.

22'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 22'

21'

Nathaniel Chalobah commits a foul on Santi Cazorla resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

21'

Throw-in: Mathieu Debuchy takes it (Defending)

21'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

21'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

21'

Francis Coquelin clears the ball from danger.

21'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Defending)

21'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Defending)

20'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Attacking)

19'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

19'

Kieran Gibbs clears the ball from danger.

19'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

19'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

18'

Mesut Özil curls a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss right

18'

Mesut Özil (Arsenal) Free Kick at 18'

17'

Nathaniel Chalobah commits a foul on Danny Welbeck resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

17'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

16'

Alexis Sánchez crosses the ball.

16'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Attacking)

16'

Michael Hector clears the ball from danger.

15'

Throw-in: Kieran Gibbs takes it (Defending)

15'

Santi Cazorla clears the ball from danger.

14'

Per Mertesacker blocks the shot

14'

Nathaniel Chalobah hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

14'

Danny Welbeck clears the ball from danger.

14'

Garath McCleary crosses the ball.

14'

Garath McCleary (Reading) Free Kick at 14'

13'

Francis Coquelin commits a foul on Garath McCleary resulting on a free kick for Reading

13'

Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) Free Kick at 13'

13'

Jordan Obita commits a foul on Aaron Ramsey resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

13'

Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Free Kick at 13'

12'

Offside called on Jamie Mackie

12'

Mathieu Debuchy clears the ball from danger.

12'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Attacking)

11'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Defending)

11'

Throw-in: Jordan Obita takes it (Defending)

10'

Nathaniel Chalobah clears the ball from danger.

10'

Michael Hector clears the ball from danger.

10'

Mathieu Debuchy crosses the ball.

9'

Wojciech Szczesny makes the save (Catch)

9'

Jordan Obita hits a good left footed shot. Outcome: save

9'

Garath McCleary crosses the ball.

9'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

8'

Michael Hector clears the ball from danger.

8'

Mesut Özil crosses the ball.

8'

Pavel Pogrebnyak blocks the shot

8'

Per Mertesacker hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

8'

Chris Gunter clears the ball from danger.

8'

Adam Federici makes the save (Parry)

8'

Per Mertesacker hits a good header. Outcome: save

7'

Chris Gunter blocks the shot

7'

Alexis Sánchez hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

5'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

5'

Adam Federici makes the save (Fumble)

5'

Danny Welbeck hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

4'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 4'

4'

Offside called on Jamie Mackie

3'

Alex Pearce clears the ball from danger.

3'

Adam Federici takes a long goal kick

2'

Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal) Free Kick at 2'

2'

Jamie Mackie commits a foul on Alexis Sánchez resulting on a free kick for Arsenal

2'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

2'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

1'

Laurent Koscielny clears the ball from danger.

1'

Chris Gunter crosses the ball.

1'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

1'

Chris Gunter crosses the ball.

1'

Throw-in: Chris Gunter takes it (Attacking)

1'

Kieran Gibbs clears the ball from danger.

1'

Jordan Obita crosses the ball.

1'

Game on!

Show all commentary

Possession

30%
70%
  • Reading
  • Arsenal

Shots

11
25

Shots on target

3
11

Fouls

19
9

Corners

0
0

Yellow Cards

1
1

Red Cards

0
0

Head to Head

Reading1 - 2Arsenal
Arsenal4 - 1Reading
Reading2 - 5Arsenal
Reading5 - 7Arsenal
Arsenal2 - 0Reading
Reading1 - 3Arsenal

Reading

  • 1Adam Federici
  • 15Michael Hector
  • 5Alex Pearce
  • 2Chris Gunter
  • 11Jordan Obita
  • 9Hal Robson-Kanu
  • -> Jem Karacan
  • 14Nathaniel Chalobah
  • -> Simon Cox
  • 23Daniel Williams
  • 12Garath McCleary
  • 7Pavel Pogrebnyak
  • -> Yakubu Aiyegbeni
  • 19Jamie Mackie
  • Subs
  • 3Stephen Kelly
  • 6Oliver Norwood
  • 35Jake Cooper
  • 31Mikkel Andersen

Arsenal

  • 1Wojciech Szczesny
  • 2Mathieu Debuchy
  • 6Laurent Koscielny
  • 3Kieran Gibbs
  • 4Per Mertesacker
  • -> Gabriel Paulista
  • 19Santi Cazorla
  • 34Francis Coquelin
  • -> Theo Walcott
  • 16Aaron Ramsey
  • 11Mesut Özil
  • 17Alexis Sánchez
  • 23Danny Welbeck
  • -> Olivier Giroud
  • Subs
  • 10Jack Wilshere
  • 20Mathieu Flamini
  • 13David Ospina
  • 18Nacho Monreal

Arsenal reach FA Cup final after error from Reading keeper Adam Federici

A fumble from Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici in extra time handed holders Arsenal a 2-1 victory and a place in the FA Cup final.

The Royals keeper, who had made some fine saves earlier in the match, allowed Alexis Sanchez's low shot to squirm between his legs and over the line on 115 minutes.

That proved to be enough to see the Gunners book a return to Wembley as they try to defend their trophy on May 30.

Sanchez had swept the north Londoners into the lead on 39 minutes.

However, Reading were level when Garath McCleary's volley was deflected past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who could only palm the ball back over the line.

Arsenal twice hit the woodwork through a header from defender Gabriel and a close-range shot by Aaron Ramsey, but could not find a winner in normal time.




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