FA Cup semi-final: Arsenal won’t underrate Reading —Wenger

Holders Arsenal are unlikely to start slowly against Championship side Reading in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday having learned the lessons from a year ago at the same stage against Wigan Athletic.

Like Reading, Wigan were also in the second tier having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2012-13 when they won the FA Cup.

Arsenal were huge favourites but Wigan led 1-0 until defender Per Mertesacker equalised with time running out and Arsenal won on penalties.

Arsene Wenger’s side went on to win the FA Cup against Hull City a few weeks later, ending a nine-year trophy drought, and now return to Wembley seeking to beat Reading and stay on course to win the FA Cup for what would be a record-setting 12th time.

Wenger, who has won the Cup five times since he became Arsenal manager in 1996, emphasised he was taking nothing for granted against Reading who are struggling at the wrong end of the Championship table.

They are without a win in five league games, have lost all 12 matches they have played against Arsenal and have not reached this stage of the competition since 1927.

“I think I’m playing my 10th semi-final on Saturday so that means we know how to prepare,” Wenger told reporters at his pre-match briefing at Arsenal’s training ground.

“We know as well that it is always tricky. We have learnt from Wigan last year when we went to penalties. The urgency level will be quite high in our team.

“I believe, having just spoken about the team, where we have also improved is that we are starting matches stronger.

“We have learned from last season. We were a bit apprehensive in the semi-final and the final and maybe that experience can help us on Saturday.”

Although Arsenal are the overwhelming favourites, Wenger noted Reading’s strengths.

“They have a good offensive potential, with (Pavel) Pogrebnyak, (Jamie) Mackie, (Hal) Robson-Kanu, (Garath) McCleary, they are all dangerous players. They have a very efficient style, who go a lot for crosses and can be a danger going forward,” he said.

“Their manager Steve Clarke has a lot of experience too so he knows exactly what to do. He has spent a long time at the top and he knows exactly what will happen.