Alexis Sanchez scored twice at Wembley as Arsenal marched onto the FA Cup final, looking to defend their crown, but they took extra-time to get there.
The Chilean fired Arsenal ahead but a volley from Garath McCleary nine minutes into the second-half put things level, where they stayed until the final whistle. Arsenal took the lead again right at the death of the first period of extra-time, as Sanchez’ shot squeezed through the hands of Federeci.
Arsenal’s had a great chance in the opening exchanges with Per Mertesacker, who scored in the semi-final last year, forcing Adam Federeci into a low save with a powerful header following a corner.
Reading had chances though and were unlucky to have a decent attack called back due to an incorrect offside call, whilst Wojciech Szczesny had to be alert in the net in case of any sudden breaks.
The Championship outfit then started looking like the better team, exploiting Arsenal’s defence out wide and winning every ball. Their physical approach was working against the Gunners, who continued to make sloppy mistakes in possession.
However, the Gunners took the lead five minutes before the break when Alexis Sanchez took down a clipped ball forward inside the area, turned the defender and tucked an exquisite finish through the ;legs of Federeci.
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Nine minutes into the second-half the game was level, as Garath McCleary volleyed home. Szczesny’s initial hand on the ball wasn’t enough, whilst his attempt to stop the ball crossing the line was unsuccessful.
The goal knocked the stuffing out of Arsenal, who looked complacent and shellshocked. As the Reading fans hit record decibels, the defending FA Cup champions were quiet on the field as well as off it.
Gabriel Paulista was brought on in place of Per Mertesacker with just under half hour remaining, with the German suffering from a knock sustained earlier in the period. Mathieu Debuchy then got away with a seeming handball in the area, as Arsenal pushed.
In the 69th minute substitute Gabriel came extremely close to putting Arsenal back in front, as his header from a corner was fantastically kept out of the net by a one-handed save from Federeci. Olivier Giroud then came on for Danny Welbeck.
Arsenal came agonisingly close to the winner with six minutes to go, as Aaron Ramsey was played through on goal, forced a save Federeci one-on-one and then struck the post with his effort. Reading then had a decent chance on the counter but could’t find the finish.
The first-half of extra time was a cagey affair, Theo Walcott came on for Arsenal and Sanchez put the Gunners ahead right at the death, with a shot that creeped through the legs of Federeci.
Early in the second-half of extra-time, Mesut Ozil dragged a shot wide after Jamie Mackie had smashed an effort over the top of Szczesny’s crossbar. Then, Giroud smashed an effort off the near post as he looked for the killer goal.
Arsenal will find out their opponents tomorrow after the second semi-final between Aston Villa and Liverpool. The winner of that match will face the Gunners at Wembley on 30th May.