Per Mertesacker feeling "confident" ahead of FA Cup semi-final

Per Mertesacker is confident that last season's FA Cup semi-final experience will stand Arsenal in good stead when they take on Reading at Wembley this weekend.

The Gunners had to rely on penalties to overcome holders Wigan Athletic at the same stage last year, while they also fought back from two goals down to beat Hull City in the showpiece final.

German World Cup winner Mertesacker admits that Arsenal were weighed down by the hefty expectation levels 12 months ago, but he believes that his side can use their know-how to see off the Royals on Saturday.

"We felt [pressure] last season a lot," he told the North London outfit's official website. "No-one expected us to lose, for Wigan to go through and that will be the case again.

"We are more prepared but you are never perfectly prepared. There will be different situations and the team will have to grow in the match again, we will have to face the expectations and pressure.

"But with our level of confidence and with the team in good shape at the moment, I'm very confident. The energy is really great in the team, we have a fantastic squad and the most important thing is that feeling."

Arsenal have won 16 of their last 18 matches heading into the final-four showdown.