Arsenal squeeze into FA Cup final as Sanchez stuns Reading

Arsenal required extra-time against Reading to book their return to Wembley, for what will be a second successive FA Cup final, but made hard work of their ruckus with the Royals, which finished as a flattering 2-1 victory for the Gunners.

Reading can return to the Madjeski Stadium with their heads held high, as only the composure of Alexis Sanchez, who bagged a brace, and a custodian calamity, stood between the Berkshire club and a historic result.

Coach Steve Clarke certainly had his side well-drilled, as Reading approached the game with attacking intent and enthusiasm from the off, while Arsenal looked a pale shadow of their recent swashbuckling selves.

Reading seem to adore playing Arsenal and, although this clash did not bring as many goals as previous duels, it did not disappoint for drama.

The Royals, who sit 18th in the Championship and are at risk from relegation, raised their game significantly against the Gunners, threatening their rivals repeatedly on the counter.

On-loan attacking star Jamie Mackie was perhaps the pick of an impressive bunch for the Championship battlers, and can consider himself unlucky to have had a legitimate run ruled offside early on.

The 29-year-old showcased tricky feet and tremendous workrate to repeatedly trouble a rusty Mathieu Debuchy, who had been thrown back into the fray but struggled at times to keep up with the pace.

In the early exchanges, Reading were relatively untroubled by an Arsenal side that failed to find space and width, but the Gunners’ quality in the final third saw them eventually come unstuck in the 39th minute.

Sanchez struck after Mesut Ozil bypassed the Royals’ rearguard with a beautifully weighted ball over the top, leaving the Chile international to chest down and slip the ball through ex-Australia international Adam Federici’s legs.

It was a rare moment of incisiveness from Arsenal, who lacked real threat until Olivier Giroud replaced Danny Welbeck around the 70th minute mark.