Aaron Ramsey: 'Reading had us on the ropes'

Aaron Ramsey has admitted that Reading had Arsenal "on the ropes" before Arsene Wenger's men scraped through to the FA Cup final on Saturday.

It was only Adam Federici's extra-time error that allowed Alexis Sanchez's tame effort to slip through to goal and give the Gunners a 2-1 win, and Ramsey was full of praise for the Royals' display at Wembley.

"We knew it would be a tough game and they came out and they showed great character to get back into it and we were on the ropes at times," the Wales international told BBC Sport.

"We dealt with it in the end and we had a bit of luck with the last goal, and we're all delighted to be going through to another Wembley final.

"These occasions, Reading definitely made us work for it and we came through it. I've felt the experience of losing in the final and I have sympathy for [Federici] but this is football and we wanted to win this game."

Liverpool meet Aston Villa in the second semi-final on Sunday.