Reading v Arsenal, FA Cup Semi Final 18/4, 17:20 BBC One

paulie21

TEAM NEWS

Pavel Pogrebnyak will be involved for Reading's FA Cup semi-final after overcoming a calf complaint.

On-loan duo Nathan Ake and Kwesi Appiah are unavailable as they are cup-tied but fellow loanees Nathaniel Chalobah and Jamie Mackie can play.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere could make his first appearance after recovering from an ankle problem.

However, Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are still not fit. Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal.

Mathieu Debuchy may also be included in the squad again, having been out since January after needing shoulder surgery.

MATCH FACTS

Arsenal have a 100% record over Reading in their last 12 meetings

Reading are bidding to reach their first FA Cup final

This is Arsenal's 28th semi final appearance (W18, L9), and are on track for a record 12th title

Yakubu has scored five career goals against Arsenal

Arsenal's nine goals in this competition have been scored by eight different player's with Oliver Giroud nabbing two

Mr Blobby

Arsenal FC ‏@Arsenal 2m2 minutes ago
.@Arsenal team to play Reading: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck #RFCvAFC

@Arsenal subs: Ospina, Gabriel, Monreal, Flamini, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud #RFCvAFC

Mr Blobby

Mr Blobby wrote: »

Arsenal FC ‏@Arsenal 2m2 minutes ago
.@Arsenal team to play Reading: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck #RFCvAFC

@Arsenal subs: Ospina, Gabriel, Monreal, Flamini, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud #RFCvAFC

Big fan of that team and bench.

Bobby Baccala

Can see welbeck and Sanchez playing a stormer today. Happy with that team selection

Roddy23

Can see Ozil orchestrating a win by 3 goals today. COYG

gandalf

Ok I'm ready for this.

Beers in the fridge - Check
Munchies at the ready - Check
Sphincter tightened - Check
Wife & Kid dispatched from Gaff - Check, means I can unleash my full match watching vocabulary

Liking the look of the Arsenal team!

DenMan

Grass cut and beers in the fridge! Come on Arsenal!

greendom

Still buzzing after 2 late goals have put Barnet in pole position for a return to the football league.

From the starter to the main course !!

Skylinehead

Flashbacks to Hulls start last year there :pac:

alchemist33

That pink ball looks like something you'd pick up in a stall at the beach.

bad2dabone

Good start

paulie21

Reading having to defend so deep already

Alfred Borden

Good save. Dont like seeing Gibbs start over Monreal

Drexel

Good shot that. Reading dangerous on the counter

klose

Arsenal fortunate there with that call

Anyone else thinking, "Jaysis Szcz, don't f*ck up"?

gandalf

I can see Reading getting the 1st goal.

gandalf

FFS the commentators are picking on Ozil again !!!!!

"Never quite lived up to his potential" ****e again!

Alfred Borden

Should have passed to debuchy

Spanish Johnny

Great chance. Beautiful pass from Cazorla.

Alfred Borden

Why didnt he look for anything? there was contact

wandatowell

Very impressive from Reading.

Roddy23

Gibbs is an accident waiting to happen

Roddy23

Gibbs is an accident waiting to happen

AdamD

They can't keep this work rate up all game. Just don't give them a goal and further motivation

Alfred Borden

Wigan all over again

Alfred Borden

Ozil is so good

AdamD

Ozil to Sanchez

Roddy23

Great assist from Ozil. Sanchez as cool as ye like.

wandatowell

The thing about Ozil is he's fcuking world class

gebbel

Quality at last.

paulie21

What a goal. Brilliant ball from Ozil

DenMan

Sanchez! 0-1

Booooooooom!!!!

gandalf

Boom great goal, great pass !!! Time for another beer

Drexel

great goal. great ball

THANK FOOOKKKKKKKKK

Spanish Johnny

Superb goal. Epic pass and great finish. So good.

That's where the big money pays off.

Class act, great goal

jester77

That was class from Sanchez

Ardennes1944

Now for **** sake lads keep it 1 nil till half time and then hammer them from the start of the second!

Dont know can I last a traditional arsenal second half from this season today

Skylinehead

Take that, Danny Murphy. He's disgusted.

Ol' Donie

gandalf wrote: »

FFS the commentators are picking on Ozil again !!!!!

"Never quite lived up to his potential" ****e again!

Let them at it, man. Suits me fine for people to talk of him as a flop. If everyone starts raving about him it'll be all Ozil-to-City/Chelsea nonsense, and that's the last thing we want.

CatInABox

Interesting that the commentators talk about Arsenal not being at their best, when it's pretty clearly a tactic to absorb pressure and not get caught out.

Seems like they're still thinking that Arsenal only do all out attack still.

AdamD

Wouldn't say Arsenal are absorbing pressure. They're dominating but leaving the back 4 and Coquelin back

gandalf

FFS Shearer is off slagging Arsenal straight from the start!

CatInABox

AdamD wrote: »

Wouldn't say Arsenal are absorbing pressure. They're dominating but leaving the back 4 and Coquelin back

Well, they're set up to absorb it when the pressure comes on.

Harry Palmr

For all the huff and puff by both sides its clear enough which side plays at which level.

Football, like Dr Who is an adventure in time and space. Reading have had promising possession but the player with the ball predictably turns the wrong way or doesn't see a pass to be run on to. Arsenal do.

Ol' Donie

gandalf wrote: »

FFS Shearer is off slagging Arsenal straight from the start!

It's odd "analysis" this.

If I was managing Arsenal in a match like this, I'd be very happy for the team to knock it round and save energy while Reading tire themselves out trying to hassle and chase down.

Getting a goal when their concentration lapses (giving Ozil acres of space), would pretty much be the plan for at least the first hour.

Now they have to chase, get more tired, and leave gaps. For the whole second half.

I'd say it's been close to ideal, for Arsenal. Even if it's not the most exciting half ever seen.

Would love to see Walcott come on.

CatInABox

Some crowd.

AdamD

I find it funny how much credit their defence gets when really the right wingers been their best player by a mile, he's the one who has to play with virtually no support but has made things happen