Sanchez fires a shot from the resulting set-piece that flies into the Reading wall before being collected by Federici. But it doesn't matter as the referee's whistle immediately goes and Arsenal have made it to the final!
120' +1
Walcott sprints towards the edge of the Reading penalty area before being brought down from behind by Williams, resulting in a free kick for Arsenal just a few inches outside of the box. Surely the Gunners have booked their place in the final now?
120'
A Reading attack breaks down, allowing Sanchez to charge forward. He tees up Giroud, who then plays it across to Ozil, but, unsurprisingly, the German hold onto the ball in an attempt to run down the clock.
118'
Mackie breaks through the Arsenal back line to get on the end of lofted pass forward, but once again his run is slightly mistimed and he's flagged for offside.
116'
It's all Reading at the moment, with every Arsenal player camped inside their own half of the pitch. The Championship side are stringing together a plethora of good passes but just can't find a way past the current cup holders.
114'
Reading patiently work their way down the left wing, with Mackie and Obita doing well before the latter earns his side a throw-in. It's sent back to Williams, who tries to curl a cross towards the back post, but it's poorly hit and sails out of play for a goal kick.
112'
Giroud hits the post! Arsenal break through the Reading midfield, with Ozil teeing up the Frenchman with a great through-ball. He immediately unleashes a low shot from just inside the penalty area that beats Federici before ricocheting off the woodwork.
111'
Y. Aiyegbeni enters the game and replaces P. Pogrebnyak.
Reading have made their final substitution, and, unsurprisingly, it's an attacking one, with Yakubu coming on to replace Pogrebnyak.
109'
The resulting set-piece is flung into the penalty area, where it loops up until the air before Szczesny is eventually able to punch the ball away from danger before it can fall on the head of Pogrebnyak.
108'
Gabriel Paulista gets yellow.
Williams charges towards the edge of the Arsenal penalty area before being brought down by Gabriel, who receives a yellow card as a result.
Minute
Description
107'
Mackie breaks down the left flank before cutting past two defenders and firing a 20-yard strike towards goal, but he puts slightly too much power on the shot and it ends up clearing the top of the crossbar.
106'
And we're off once again! Can Arsenal hold to reach the final, or will Reading be able to pull off a brilliant comeback?
105' +2
Sanchez's goal brings the first half of extra time to an end, and Reading will now have to go out all guns blazing in this second period if they are to have any hope of taking the tie to penalties.
105' +1
A. Sánchez has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by M. Özil.
GOAL! What a terrible mistake by Federici! Sanchez charges into the left-hand side of the penalty area before firing a low shot towards the near post that the Reading goalkeeper lets squirm between his legs and into the back of the net. The Australian has been absolutely excellent all game and will be thoroughly disappointed with that error.
105'
S. Cox enters the game and replaces N. Chalobah.
Koscielny makes a terrible mistake, allowing Pogrebnyak to break forward quickly. He charges towards the edge of the Arsenal penalty area before firing a low shot towards goal, but it's blocked well by Gabriel before it can trouble Szczesny.
Reading have made their second change of the evening, with Chalobah making way for Cox for the second half of extra time.
104'
What a strike by Ramsey! The Welshman is left in acres of space in the middle of the pitch, allowing him to fire a great shot that Federici is just about able to parry into the ground and over the top of the crossbar.
103'
Reading are defending extremely well against Arsenal, who are throwing everything they have at the Royals but are finding it incredibly difficult to find a way through the Championship side's determined back line.
101'
T. Walcott enters the game and replaces F. Coquelin.
Arsenal have decided to make their final substitution of the game, with Walcott coming on to take the place of Coquelin.
100'
Coquelin unleashes a great pass over the top of the Reading defence and onto the chest of Giroud, but the Frenchman's run is slightly mistimed and the linesman's flag is immediately raised.
98'
An Arsenal attack breaks down midway inside the Reading half of the pitch, allowing the Championship side to push forward quickly. Williams darts towards the Gunners' penalty area but is stopped by a great tackle from Coquelin, who then clears the danger.
96'
Cazorla charges forward before setting up Gibbs on the left-hand side of the penalty area, but the defender's first-time shot ends up taking a deflection that sends it safely into the hands of Federici.
95'
Reading patiently push forward down the right flank before earning themselves the first corner of extra time. McCleary flungs the resulting set-piece into the penalty area but it's poorly hit and fails to beat the first man.
93'
Arsenal string together a series of lovely passes before Cazorla unleashes a fierce shot from 25 yards out that ends up flying just over the top of the crossbar. Federici had it comfortably covered, however.
92'
Mackie muscles his way through the Arsenal midfield before attempting to tee up Pogrebnyak, but his pass is sent slightly behind the Russian and ends up bouncing off his heel and out of play for a throw-in.
91'
And we're off once again as the first half of extra time gets underway!
90' +4
Reading have been absolutely excellent during the second half and thoroughly deserve to be on level terms with the Premier League club, who have failed to take their chances in front of goal. At the other end of the pitch, Mackie and Pogrebnyak have been brilliant, causing the Gunners' back four plenty of problems.
90' +3
The referee blows his whistle and normal time comes to an end, meaning that this thrilling game will go to extra time.
90' +2
Arsenal push forward before earning themselves a free kick midway inside the Reading half of the pitch. It's flung into the middle of the box where it finds Giroud, but the striker's header is comfortably stopped by Federici.
90' +1
It's all Arsenal once again, as Gibbs does well down the left flank to earn his side a corner. It almost drops at the feet of Giroud but eventually finds it's way to Pearce, who immediately thumps the ball towards the halfway line.
90'
J. Karacan enters the game and replaces H. Robson-Kanu.
With only a few minutes of normal time still to play, Reading have made their first substitution of the game, with Robson-Kanu making way for Karacan.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
89'
Another chance for Ramsey! Gibbs sprints down the left flank, comfortably beating Hector, before sending a fierce low cross into the heart of the penalty area. It finds the Welshman in front of goal but he ends up sending his first-time volley over the top of the crossbar.
88'
Mackie breaks away again as he finds plenty of space down the right flank, but his low cross is poorly hit and misses Pogrebnyak before being comfortably cut out by Szczesny on the edge of the six-yard box.
87'
What an opportunity for Pogrebnyak! Reading break away quickly, with the Russian and Mackie going one-on-one with Koscielny. He powers forward but quickly runs out of steam and his half-hearted toe-poked shot rolls straight into the hands of Szczesny, leaving his teammate looking absolutely furious.
86'
It's all Arsenal at the moment as they desperately push forward in search of what would surely be the goal that would send them to the FA Cup final. Reading look tired, but can they hold on for the final few minutes?
84'
Ramsey hits the post! Szczesny punches the resulting set-piece away from danger, allowing Arsenal to break away quickly. Giroud sets up the Welshman with an excellent through-ball, and his first strike is saved well by Federici. It falls straight into his feet, however, allowing him another chance on goal, but somehow he ends up hitting the woodwork from the edge of the six-yard box.
83'
Great strike by Chalobah! The midfielder charges through a sea of Arsenal players before firing a lovely shot that swerves in the air before being parried away for a corner by Szczesny.
81'
Gabriel picks up the ball near the halfway line and tries to fire a quick cross towards Sanchez, but Gunter gets down well to cut out the attempted pass before heading the ball into the safe hands of Federici.
80'
Cazorla sends an absolutely brilliant pass over the top of the Reading defence and into the feet of Sanchez. The Chilean takes a touch before cutting the ball back to Ozil, who immediately unleashes a fierce 20-yard strike that flies a few yards over the top of the crossbar.
79'
Mackie is brought down by Gabriel midway inside the Arsenal half of the pitch, but Pogrebnyak is able to pick up the ball and charge into the left-hand side of the penalty area. He muscles his way past three players before firing a low shot towards the bottom right-hand corner of the goal, but it ends up rolling wide of the far post.
77'
Giroud receives the ball with his back to goal and swiftly sets up Sanchez. The Chilean takes a quick touch before trying to tee up the striker, but the through-ball is overhit and Federici is able to cut out the danger before it can meet the Frenchman.
75'
Mackie holds up the ball well on the right flank before winning Reading a corner. It's flung into the box but Koscielny does well to get a head on the set-piece. The ball then pinballs around the edge of the penalty area before Giroud is finally able to blast it towards the halfway line.
74'
Wonderful opportunity for Gabriel! Ozil curls an absolutely brilliant free kick into the heart of the penalty area that drops onto the head of the Brazilian, but somehow he ends up sending his header looping over the top of the crossbar from close range.
73'
Ramsey is pulled back Robson-Kanu, resulting in a free kick for Arsenal deep down the right flank inside the Reading half of the pitch.
72'
O. Giroud enters the game and replaces D. Welbeck.
Arsenal have made their second change of the game, and it's an attacking one, with Giroud coming on to take the place of Welbeck.
70'
What a save by Federici! The resulting set-piece finds Gabriel at the near post, who immediately unleashes a brilliant header towards the roof of the net that the Reading goalkeeper is just about able tip onto the crossbar.
69'
Sanchez and Ozil try to play a quick one-two on the left-hand side of the Reading penalty area, but it takes a slight deflection before Chalobah is able to fire the ball out of play for a corner.
67'
Brilliant chance for Williams! Mackie does extremely well to dart into the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Williams, who unleashes a scuffed half-volleyed shot from the edge of the box that ends up spinning wide of the far post.
66'
Robson-Kanu battles with Debuchy on the left-hand side of the Arsenal penalty area before sending in a low cross that seems to hit the Frenchman's hand. The Reading players and fans both cry for a penalty, but the referee shakes his head and waves play on.
64'
Once again, Reading break through the middle of the Arsenal defence, but this time it's Pogrebnyak who mistimes his run and is flagged offside as a result. If the Russian had bent his run ever so slightly he would have had the chance to go one-on-one with Szczesny.
63'
Gabriel Paulista enters the game and replaces P. Mertesacker.
Arsenal have decided to make their first substitution of the game, with Mertesacker, who seems to have picked up a slight injury, limping off the pitch to be replaced by Gabriel.
61'
Ozil twists and turns midway inside the Reading half of the pitch as he tries to find a gap in the Reading defence, but his eventual pass towards Welbeck is poorly hit and flies past the striker before bouncing harmlessly out of play for a goal kick.
60'
Arsenal are finally able to break out of their own half of the pitch, but they're being forced to pass the ball near the halfway line due to the incredible amount of pressure that they are being put under by Reading.
58'
Robson-Kanu dives into Mertesacker near the halfway line and dispossesses the German wonderfully before teeing up Mackie, who is just a yard or two offside, much to his annoyance.
56'
Reading look full of confidence after scoring that goal, and they have pushed Arsenal back into their own half of the pitch, which the Premier League club are finding impossible to break out of.
54'
G. McCleary has scored a goal for Reading! Assist by P. Pogrebnyak.
GOAL! Reading have equalised! They win themselves a throw-in deep down the left flank, which is quickly sent to Pogrebnyak. The striker uses his strength extremely well to muscle his way into the penalty area before unleashing a deft chip to the back post, where McCleary fires a great sliding volley that deflects off Gibbs before being parried over the line by Szczesny.
53'
Again, good build-up play from Reading, this time down the left wing, results in a chance for the Championship club to send a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but it's poorly hit by Robson-Kanu and ends up sailing out of play for a goal kick.
52'
McCleary and Hector do well to push forward down the right flank before earning Reading a throw-in near the corner flag. It's sent towards Chalobah, who then quickly tees up Pogrebnyak, but the Russian striker is dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area before he can turn and get a shot away.
50'
The free kick is curled into the heart of the penalty area, where it finds the head of Mertesacker. The Reading defence fail to track the run of the German, who beats his marker before the ball ricochets off his back and just wide of the far post.
49'
And now Sanchez is fouled in a similar position in the Reading half of the pitch, resulting in a free kick for Arsenal in a dangerous position.
48'
The resulting set-piece is chipped towards the far post, where it finds Gunter, but the defender's headed effort is poorly executed and ends up flying well wide of its intended target.
47'
Reading immediately win the ball before Williams charges forward and is brought down from behind by Cazorla, resulting in a free kick for the Championship club midway inside the Arsenal half of the pitch.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45' +2
N. Chalobah gets yellow.
Chalobah charges into Gibbs and brings the defender down with a poor sliding challenge, resulting in a yellow card for the youngster.
45' +1
McCleary does extremely well to charge down the right flank before curling a dangerous cross into the heart of the penalty area. It finds Pogrebnyak, who heads the ball down into his feet before sending a poorly-hit volleyed effort towards goal that Szczesny is easily able to stop.
45'
The resulting set-piece almost finds Koscielny at the back post, but it ends up bouncing off the head of Pearce before going out of play for another Arsenal corner.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
An excellent attacking move from Arsenal almost results in a chance on goal for Sanchez, but the Reading defence hold firm to keep the Gunners at bay before clearing the ball out of play for a corner.
43'
Williams goes in late on Sanchez and pushes the Chilean to the floor out of frustration. He receives a stern talking to from the referee but escapes a yellow card.
41'
You can sense the frustration in the Reading ranks, as the Championship club had been impressive up until that goal. With just four minutes of the half left to play, they look desperate to try and equalise before the break.
39'
A. Sánchez has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by M. Özil.
GOAL! Arsenal have taken the lead! Ozil receives the ball midway inside the Reading half of the pitch and chips a brilliant pass over the top of the Royals' defence and into the feet of Sanchez. He takes a touch before calmly skipping past McCleary and slotting the ball into the back of the net from close range to put the Gunners 1-0 ahead.
38'
McCleary and Williams link up well on the right flank before a latter sends a quick through-ball into the path of Pogrebnyak. The Russian tries to out-muscle Koscielny but ends up losing the battle, allowing the Arsenal defend to shepherd the ball into the safe hands of Szczesny.
36'
It's all Arsenal at the moment as they once again attempt to find a way through Reading's resolute back line, but the Championship club are defending incredibly well and, as a result, the Gunners are struggling to make an impact in the final third of the pitch.
34'
McCleary dispossesses Sanchez on the halfway line, and Reading immediately break away on a swift counter attack. Mackie quickly finds Obita, who is unmarked on the left flank, but the defender's first-time cross is hit slightly too early and fails to beat Debuchy on the edge of the penalty area.
32'
Arsenal patiently pass the ball around just outside of the Reading penalty area as they desperately try to find a way through the sea of blue and white shirts camped in front of them. They're unable to do so, however, with Williams eventually dispossessing Sanchez as the Chilean was looking to unleash a deft through-ball.
30'
Hector does wonderfully well to out-muscle Sanchez before setting up Williams, who breaks away quickly. The American then attempts to play a swift one-two with Robson-Kanu, but Coquelin reads the pass well and cuts out the danger before being fouled deep inside the Arsenal half of the pitch.
29'
Wonderful pass by Chalobah! The on-loan midfielder sends an excellent ball past Mertesacker and into the feet of Mackie, who takes a quick touch before forcing Szczesny into making a good save. He was slightly offside, however, and the linesman's flag is immediately raised.
27'
Cazorla sends an absolutely excellent pass through the middle of the Reading defence and into the path of Sanchez, who breaks towards the edge of the penalty area before sending a toe-poked shot wide of the goal after being put under pressure by Federici.
26'
Ramsey and Debuchy link up well on the right flank before the latter sends a deep cross towards the back post. It finds Sanchez, who beats Gunter in the air before sending his headed effort into the hands of Federici.
24'
Williams sends a lofted pass down the right flank that McCleary does well to get onto the end of. He darts towards the byline before trying to send a volleyed cross into the heart of the Arsenal penalty area, but he completely mishits the ball and it ends up sailing harmlessly out of play for a goal kick.
22'
Arsenal are finally able to string together a series of passes, with Ozil, Sanchez and Welbeck doing well on the edge of the Reading penalty area. The ball eventually falls at the feet of Cazorla, who immediately unleashes a curling strike from 20 yards out that ends up flying well over the top of the crossbar.
21'
After a period of Arsenal dominance, the pace of the game has slowed down somewhat, with both sides battling for possession in the middle of the pitch but unable to hold onto the ball for too long.
19'
Great strike by Ozil! The German steps up and curls a wonderful shot from the set-piece that ends up flying just wide of the far post. What a goal that would have been!
18'
Chalobah flies into Welbeck and brings the striker crashing to the ground, resulting in a free kick for Arsenal in a very dangerous position 30 yards away from the Reading goal.
16'
Sanchez does well to find space down the left wing before trying to curl a deep cross towards Debuchy at the back post, but the attempted pass is poorly hit and misses the Frenchman before bouncing out of play for a corner.
15'
The resulting set-piece is only half cleared by the Arsenal defence, allowing it to drop at the feet of Chalobah. He immediately fires a volleyed shot from the edge of the penalty area that deflects off Mertesacker before flying out of play for a corner, which is poorly hit and easily dealt with by the Premier League side.
14'
McCleary twists and turns on the right flank before being clumsily brought to the ground by Cazorla, resulting in a free kick for Reading.
13'
Obita sends an excellent long pass that flies past Mertesacker before meeting Mackie midway inside the Arsenal half of the pitch, but the linesman's flag is immediately raised for offside.
11'
Mackie powers past two Arsenal defenders on the left flank before attempting to cut the ball back to Robson-Kanu, but Debuchy does well to cut out the pass before clearing the danger.
10'
Reading deal well with the danger from the second corner, allowing them to break away quickly down the right flank. McCleary charges down the wing before curling a great cross into the feet of Obita, who immediately fires a low shot from the edge of the penalty area that flies into the hands of Szczesny.
8'
Wonderful save by Federici! The resulting set-piece is sent towards the edge of the six-yard box, where it finds Mertesacker. The German beats Chalobah before sending in an excellent header that the Reading goalkeeper does well to push round the near post.
7'
Arsenal patiently work their way forward, with plenty of deft passes being exchanged midway inside the Reading half of the pitch. The ball eventually falls at the feet of Sanchez, who fires a toe-poked shot from the edge of the penalty area that is deflected out for a corner.
5'
Great chance for Welbeck! Gibbs launches a wonderful pass over the top of the Reading defence and into the path of Welbeck, but Federici does well to dart out and save the striker's deft close-range effort.
3'
Welbeck charges down the left flank before spinning round and teeing up Sanchez. The Chilean takes a quick touch before sending a long pass towards Ramsey, who is unmarked down the right wing, but it's slightly overhit and ends up bouncing out of play for a goal kick.
2'
Reading immediately break away down the left flank, with Obita doing well to power forward before sending in a cross that is half dealt with by the Arsenal defence before being headed out of play for a throw-in by Sanchez.
1'
And we're off! Reading get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today's FA Cup semi-final clash between Reading and Arsenal. My name is Ben Cullimore and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action from Wembley.
Reading have embarked on a wonderful run in the FA Cup, with hard-earned victories against Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City, Derby County and Bradford City taking them all the way to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 1927. However, whilst they have found plenty of success in the cup, domestically speaking the last two months have been miserable for the Royals, who have only won one of their last 10 league games, leaving them just eight points clear of the relegation zone.
However, with the teams around them also in poor form and with just four games of the season left to play, the Championship strugglers are unlikely to fall into the dreaded drop zone, meaning that they can put all of their energy into today’s clash in the hope of pulling off what would be a truly historic giant-killing.
In stark contrast to Reading, Arsenal have looked impeccable recently, and they head into this afternoon’s clash full of belief that they will be able to make light work of the Berkshire club as they look pick up their second FA Cup trophy in as many seasons. The Gunners have won their last eight Premier League games in a row - the best run of any club this season, and the first time that Arsene Wenger’s men have done so since the 2003/04 ‘Invincibles’ campaign - and currently sit in second place in the table, which, if they are able to keep their good form going, would be their highest league finish in 10 years.
As a result of this great form, things are looking extremely bright for the competition’s reigning champions, and that good feeling and confidence could be enough to see them past a Royals side that have shown time and time again that they won’t give up without a fight.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Coquelin, Cazorla; Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck.
Steve Clarke has decided to name an unchanged Reading side to the one that started against Bradford City in their last FA Cup outing, whilst Arsene Wenger has made three alterations to the side that won against Manchester United in the last round of the competition, with Mathieu Debuchy, Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Ramsey coming into the squad to replace Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, respectively.
Arsenal substitutes: Ospina, Gabriel, Monreal, Flamini, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off. The atmosphere inside the stadium is electric, with both sets of fans in fine voice.
HALF-TIME: READING 0-1 ARSENAL
Reading will feel hard done by to enter the half-time break 1-0 down after putting in such an impressive performance for 39 minutes, but at the vital moment they left Ozil alone in the middle of the pitch with too much space, and a great pass from the German set up Sanchez to fire in the only goal of the game. However, they will no doubt be confident about their chances of staging a comeback but will have to up the ante in the second period if they are to find that all-important equaliser that they so desperately crave.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
Arsenal are able to hold on to their one-goal lead and, as a result, have made booked their place in the final of the FA Cup, where they will meet either Liverpool or Aston Villa. Reading will feel extremely hurt at going out of the competition, particularly because of the way in which the all-important second goal was conceded. Nobody will be more disappointed than Federici, whose mistake allowed Sanchez's half-hearted strike to slip between his legs and into the back of the net.
Even though they were far from their best, Arsenal showed great determination to keep the pressure firmly on the Championship side, who were excellent from start to finish. Sanchez and Ozil were particularly bright in the final third of the pitch, and in the end the current cup holders just had too much class in their ranks.
My name is Ben Cullimore and it's been an absolute pleasure describing all of the action to you today. Until next time, goodbye!
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