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Arsenal logo
FA Cup | Semi-Finals
Apr 18, 2015 at 5.20pm UK
 
Reading logo

2-1

Sanchez (39', 105')
FT(HT: 1-0)
McCleary (54')

Arsenal reach FA Cup final after Adam Federici error

Arsenal will defend the FA Cup in May's final after Adam Federici's extra-time error cost Reading in a dramatic semi-final which the Gunners won 2-1 at Wembley.

Arsenal will defend the FA Cup in next month's final after Adam Federici's extra-time error cost Reading this evening's semi-final at Wembley.

The long-serving Royals goalkeeper allowed Alexis Sanchez's 105th-minute shot to squirm through his legs to spare the blushes of his opposite number.

Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez runs past Reading's Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici after scoring during the FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Reading at Wembley stadium in London on April 18, 2015© Getty Images

It was a mistake from Wojciech Szczesny which had allowed Garath McCleary to equalise for the Championship side after Sanchez had given the Gunners a half-time lead.

However, the PFA Player of the Year nominee struck again to put Arsenal on course to regain the trophy against either Liverpool or Aston Villa on May 30.

Federici had to be alert to keep out Per Mertesacker's seventh-minute header at his near post, but the Royals held their own for the remainder of the opening 20 minutes.

Although their only threat on the Arsenal goal was Jordan Obita's well-struck half-volley which was saved by Szczesny, they largely stifled an opponent who have won their last eight games in all competitions.

The Premier League giants began to knock on the door as the half went on as Ozil clipped a free kick narrowly wide of the post and Santi Cazorla released Sanchez to poke wide under pressure from several Reading defenders.

Eventually Arsenal's class showed as Ozil picked out Sanchez with a fine pass which the Chilean collected before cleverly evading a couple of challenges in the box to slot beyond Federici on 39 minutes.

Reading refused to lie down and equalised 10 minutes into the second half as Pavel Pogrebnyak stood up a cross to the back post, where McCleary met the ball with a volley which beat Szczesny's weak low save.

Reading's foward Jamaican forward Garath McCleary celebrates after scoring during the FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Reading at Wembley stadium in London on April 18, 2015© Getty Images

Gabriel Paulista, brought on as a substitute for the injured Mertesacker, had two good chances to restore Arsenal's lead, but he nodded off target from close range moments after Federici had tipped his header onto the bar at full stretch.

His miss was nothing compared to that of Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal's hero when they won the competition last year to end a nine-year silverware drought. The Welshman struck the post from six yards on 82 minutes when the goal had been left vacant following Federici's efforts to save his initial shot.

Steve Clarke's side had their own opportunity to clinch victory in normal time when Pogrebnyak and Mackie ran clear in a two-on-one situation, but the latter's hesitance in making a run deterred the Russian and the opening went begging.

Mesut Ozil of Arsenal is marshalled by Michael Hector of Reading during the FA Cup Semi Final between Arsenal and Reading at Wembley Stadium on April 18, 2015 © Getty Images

It appeared as though Arsenal were heading for another penalty shootout against Championship opposition - as they faced against Wigan Athletic in the last four last season - but Federici's howler at the end of the first additional period saved them that ordeal.

Sanchez cut in from the left and made some room to get away a tame shot which took a slight deflection that may have contributed to the ball slipping through the Australian's legs and over the line, despite his desperate attempts to claw it back.

Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates as he scores their second goal during the FA Cup Semi Final between Arsenal and Reading at Wembley Stadium on April 18, 2015© Getty Images

Olivier Giroud hit the post on 115 minutes as the Gunners tried to ensure that there was not another twist in the tale, but the deflated Royals could not apply any late pressure as Arsene Wenger's men reached a joint-best 18th final.

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Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal shoots past Adam Federici of Reading during the FA Cup Semi Final between Arsenal and Reading at Wembley Stadium on April 18, 2015
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