Reading boss Steve Clarke: 'Prospect of facing Arsenal doesn't matter'

Reading manager Steve Clarke has insisted that the prospect of facing Arsenal in a Wembley FA Cup semi-final is not clouding his team's thoughts going into Monday's replay with Bradford City.

After a goalless quarter-final at Valley Parade last weekend, the winner of tomorrow night's replay at the Madejski Stadium will advance to face holders Arsenal next month.

Clarke has revealed that he was not bothered about finding out who his side would be facing if they overcome the Bantams.

"A friend texted me telling me we had drawn Arsenal, but I never intended on watching it," PA quotes him as saying.

"I don't think [the draw] makes any difference whatsoever. I think the game against Bradford is big enough in its own right and the reward of getting through to an FA Cup semi-final is big enough in its own right.

"So I don't think the semi-final opposition makes a difference to either team."

The last-eight opponents were both in league action yesterday, with Reading trounced 4-1 by Watford and Bradford held to a 1-1 draw by Notts County.