Arsenal beat Reading 2-1

Holders Arsenal reached a record 19th FA Cup final after two goals from Alexis Sanchez sealed victory over Reading in extra-time.

Sanchez gave the Premier League side a 39th-minute lead from close range before Garath McCleary volleyed home an equaliser shortly after the break.

Reading needed the post and keeper Adam Federici to keep the scores level as the game required an extra 30 minutes to decide the outcome.

The Australian keeper was at fault as Sanchez’s effort spilled through his grasp and rolled in and although Reading pushed for an equaliser Arsenal held on.

The Gunners will now face the winners of Sunday’s other semi-final between Aston Villa and Liverpool as they look to lift a record 12th FA Cup.

Their hopes of the double continue to look unrealistic though, with Chelsea recording a potentially defining 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League.

Sanchez has 22 goals this season since his summer arrival from Barcelona and, with 36 places separating these two sides, he was the difference at a sun-bathed Wembley.

The first half went to form with Arsenal dominating their Championship opposition and enjoying 74% possession.

Per Mertesacker had seen his early header from Mesut Ozil’s corner well saved by Federici, low to his left, and at the other end Jordan Obita’s fierce half-volley from 25 yards was straight at Wojciech Szczesny.

Reading forward Jamie Mackie was unlucky to have been ruled offside when clean through before Arsenal scored the opener.

Ozil unlocked the Royals’ defence with a wonderful pass to Sanchez, who, after controlling and turning inside, prodded past Federici from close range.

Reading levelled nine minutes after the break with McCleary volleying home Pavel Pogrebnyak’s cross from six yards. Although Szczesny got to the ball, goal-line technology confirmed it had crossed the line

Federici, who would later leave the pitch in tears, produced a wonderful one-handed save to claw out Gabriel’s header as Arsenal looked to get themselves back in front against a Reading side who were growing in confidence.

Szczesny nearly made a mess of Nathaniel Chalobah’s shot from distance, palming it away to safety, while Aaron Ramsey missed a glorious chance to put the Gunners ahead by striking the post from within the six-yard box with only a man on the line to beat.

Pogrebnyak wasted good territory when Reading found themselves two-on-one as the game became increasingly stretched but neither side could find a winner as it headed into extra time.

Ramsey’s low shot from 25 yards was saved by Federici, who was lucky to see it rebound off him and over the bar. However, the Australian was at fault just before the end of the first period of extra time.

Sanchez’s shot took a slight deflection and the keeper fumbled the ball through his legs as it crossed the line.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud hit the post with eight minutes remaining and although Reading pumped several balls into the Gunners’ box, they never looked like finding an equaliser as their first FA Cup semi-final since 1927 ended in heartbreak.

BBC Sport

Maher Taki