Reading vs Arsenal: FA Cup match preview

Earlier this week, these two clubs’ Under-21 sides met. It was a tightly contested affair, without a dominant performance from either side, but any punter looking for premonitions should note Reading’s 1-0 win. More interestingly, the crucial goal came from 19 year-old Niall Keown who, having started to train with the senior squad, now stands an outside chance of appearing on Saturday’s team-sheet. If he plays, he will face the former club of his retired centre-half father, Martin.

However, nobody will blame Keown Snr. if, during the semi-final, his attention is momentarily diverted. Despite having a choice of slots, the BBC have opted to air this match at the same time as Chelsea’s crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sky. The decision has surprised and irked many, including Royals boss Steve Clarke, who has further reservations about the competition’s scheduling. “When we beat Arsenal we have to wait for four weeks to play the Cup final. This is also not correct,” he claimed. When asked if he meant to say ‘when’ rather ‘if’ on the matter of beating Arsene Wenger’s side, his response was just as definite.

Was it genuine bullishness or blind hope? Reading, winless since their defeat of Bradford in the previous round, will have to overcome the top flight’s form side, who are looking for a ninth consecutive victory. Arsenal showed signs of fatigue during last weekend’s shift at Turf Moor but, with a late title push seeming unrealistic, the holders should be able to re-energise themselves for a competition that has always represented their best chance to win silverware.

If, though, at 5:20pm on Saturday evening, you find yourself deliberating between this tie and the encounter at Stamford Bridge, consider this: over the last three matches between the clubs, there has been a total of 24 goals, at an average of eight per game. That should be enough to hold anyone’s attention.

PAST MEETINGS

Arsenal 4 (Gervinho, Cazorla, Giroud, Arteta) Reading 1 (Robson-Kanu), Premier League, March 2013

Reading 2 (Le Fondre, Kebe) Arsenal 5 (Podolski, Cazorla 3, Walcott), Premier League, December 2012

Reading 5 (Roberts, Koscielny O.G, Leigertwood, Hunt, Pogrebnyak) Arsenal 7 (Koscielny, Walcott 3, Giroud, Chamakh 2), October 2012

STATS

Arsenal have won all 12 competitive meetings between the sides, the most famous being the remarkable 7-5 Capital One Cup fourth round tie in 2012, in which the Gunners came back from being 4-0 down.

Hal Robson-Kanu has scored in three of his last four FA Cup appearances. He also netted in his last appearance against Arsenal in 2013.

This will be the Gunners’ 28th semi-final appearance, a record for an English club.

The last three times that Arsenal have faced second tier opposition in the semi-final they’ve gone on to win the trophy.

Reading have had opponents sent off against them in three of their four FA Cup ties (five games total) this season.

ODDS

Reading to win: 11.0

Arsenal to win: 1.22

Draw: 5.50

TV

Live on BBC1 at 5.20pm.