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Arsenal v Reading F.A. Cup semi-final preview

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Arsenal appear at Wembley Stadium for the 4th time in 12 months as they continue their defence of the F.A. Cup against Championship Reading. This will be the Gunners’ 28th appearance at this stage, setting a new tournament record.

Gunners fans will be hoping for a more comfortable and enjoyable occasion than the Wigan match at this stage last year. Though the result was eventually favourable, the 120 minutes and penalties that proceeded the final whistle were about as enjoyable as swallowing a packet of vinegar soaked razor blades.

This is the Royals’ second F.A. Cup semi-final and the two sides come into the game in very different shape. Arsenal have eight consecutive Premier League wins at their back, whilst Reading have not won in six in the Championship.

Yet Arsenal have many a recent case study into the consequences of complacency. It is likely that Reading have been looking forward to this game for some weeks and will play the game of their lives.

Arsenal just have to continue to meet the standards they have reached consistently since February. Last year’s intestinal rollercoasters at Wembley Stadium ought to stand them in good stead for the test ahead. Can it just be comfortable? Please?

Vital Quotes:

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is wary of the threat posed by Reading, ‘Reading have good offensive potential with Pogrebnyak, Mackie, Hal Robson-Kanu and Garath McCleary.

“They are all dangerous players. They are very efficient.

“I believe for us they can be a danger going forward.”

Wenger added: “They have many players who have experience in the Premier League.

“We won`t underestimate them. Once you`re in the semi-final at Wembley, it would be absolutely non-intelligent to think you can just turn up and win the game.

“We`ve prepared well for this game. We know what will face us and our team will be focused.”

We have learnt from Wigan last year,” he said.

“I think our urgency level will be quite high. It`s an aspect I think has improved in our team. We have stronger starts now than before.

“Last season we were a bit apprehensive in both games, the semi-final and the final. Maybe that experience can help us on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Reading manager Steve Clarke says his side must be ‘perfect’ to win the match on Saturday, “I know that if we play the perfect game, then we have a chance to go through.

‘We probably haven’t done that since I’ve taken over, so it’s a big ask. If you make mistakes in possession and give the ball away to Arsenal they will punish you. If you make silly mistakes in and around your own box they have got players that will capitalise on those chances. Maybe in the Championship you can make two or three mistakes in a game and the opposition are not quite good enough to take those chances. But you know if you make them against a top team they will take them – and we have to be aware of that.

“I`d love to have 60% possession but you have to be realistic. Arsenal are going to have more of the ball than us, so we have to have a good defensive shape. Press at the right time and win the ball back, and when we win it back we have to show that we can be a threat, because if we don`t show we can be a threat, then for them it is a free afternoon. There is no threat and they can attack and attack and attack.

‘”The only way to enjoy a semi-final is to win it,” he said. “We`re not playing the occasion. We`re playing Arsenal. It has to be a day of work and focus on what happens on the pitch. The supporters can go and enjoy the day. For us we go with the mentality that we are there to do a job.

“It`s a great challenge for us, to give a little bit of excitement to the town. Reading have never played in an FA Cup final. These players have a chance to make history – what an incentive. [The players] won`t freeze and they won`t have any regrets, I can promise you.”

Arsenal Team News:

Arsenal are without Mikel Arteta (ankle) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) who have not yet recovered. But Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Debuchy come into the squad.

Wojciech Szczesny will play in goal in place of David Ospina.

Arsenal (from); Szczesny, Debuchy, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Koscielny, Rosicky, Wilshere, Özil, Giroud, Ospina, Walcott, Ramsey, Alexis, Monreal, S.Cazorla, Flamini, Chambers, Welbeck, Coquelin, Bellerin.

Player to watch: Danny Welbeck and Kieran Gibbs

I fancy that Welbeck and Gibbs might start this game and both will look at this as a chance to stake a claim for their places once again.

With Arsenal winning so often, there has been little reason to change the team, so both will look to give the manager a selection headache.

Gibbs had a good game against QPR the last time he started and Welbeck’s last start upfront saw him score the winner at Old Trafford in the last round. The level is high at the moment and both men need to keep responding.

Reading Team News:

Loanees Nathan Aké and Kwesi Appiah are Cup-tied for the Royals,b ut fellow loanees Nathaniel Chalobah and Jamie Mackie can play. Jem Karacan could continue his recovery with another start after 18 months out.

Pavel Pogbrenyak is expected to be fit after missing Tuesday’s defeat to Bournemouth with a slight calf problem.

Reading (from); Federici, Gunter, Kelly, Ferdinand, Pearce, Norwood, Pogbrenyak, Robson-Kanu, Cox, Abita, McLeary, Chalobah, Hector, Akpan, Edwards, Mackie, Yakubu, Karacan, Blackman, Williams, Knight, Andersen.

Player to watch: Jamie Mackie

Likely to play just off of Pogbrenyak, he will become a fifth midfielder when Arsenal have the ball and a second striker when Reading attack.

When the Royals do get forward, he will look to run off of the Russian forward and cause the Arsenal defence discomfort.

Match Facts & Stats

Why I’ve prepared a lovely compendium this-a-way.

Ref Watch:

The referee will be Martin Atkinson.

Match Prediction:

I think Arsenal will have to be patient, but will win 2-0 with second half goals from Welbeck and Alexis.

Next Fixtures:

Arsenal are at home to Chelsea next Sunday at 4pm. Reading are at home to Birmingham City at 8pm on Wednesday evening.

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