Arsenal are through to the FA Cup final after a nervy victory against Championship side Reading at Wembley on Saturday afternoon as Alexis Sanchez scored a brace to claim the win after extra-time.
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The Gunners will be back at Wembley on May 30th as they look to defend their trophy against either Aston Villa or Liverpool.
Here is how we have rated Arsene Wenger’s team in the semi-final.
GK) Wojciech Szczesny – 4
Recalled to the starting line-up on his birthday and made an horrendous error for Reading’s equaliser. His Wembley curse continues as he failed to banish memories of the 2011 League cup final.
RB) Mathieu Debuchy – 5
First game after three months out with a shoulder injury, looked understandably rusty at times and almost gitfed Reading a goal with a mistake. The right-back stayed on for the entire 120 minutes but will benefit from the experience as he builds towards full fitness.
CB) Per Mertesacker – 6 (Gabriel, 63)
Had chances early on in both halves. The German defended well until he was replaced by Gabriel just after the hour mark.
CB) Laurent Koscielny – 7
The Frenchman had two defensive partners today and was very assured alongside both of them.
LB) Kieran Gibbs – 5
Lost Gareth McCleary for Reading’s equaliser and didn’t do his chances of winning back his spot from of Nacho Monreal any good in truth.
MC) Santi Cazorla – 5
Not the Spaniards best game compared to the high standards that he sets, gave the ball away numerous times and struggled throughout the entire 120 minutes.
MC) Francis Coquelin – 6 (Walcott, 101)
Usual performance from the Frenchman, broke up Reading attacks and kept it simple but he wasn’t helped by the amount of time his usually reliable teammates squandered possession.
AMC) Mesut Ozil – 7
Pulled the strings for the Gunners in the first half, where he went close with a free-kick, then created the opener for Alexis with a fine pass. Dropped off significantly after the interval as his side lost control of the game.
AMR) Aaron Ramsey – 5
Poor performance from the Welshman after being out on the right-hand side for the first half, he constantly switched positions with Ozil after the break but wasn’t able to influence the game like he has done on his last two Wembley apperances.
His day was summed up by hitting the post from just two yards out.
AML) Alexis Sanchez – 8 – MOTM
Struggled to get to grips with the game in the first half until he broke the deadlock with a cool finish. Was very quiet in the second half of normal time. Then popped up with a fortunate winner as his weak effort squirmed underneath Federici in the 105th minute.
Nowhere near his best but his double has put his side into the final.
ST) Danny Welbeck – 5 (Giroud, 72)
Loads of running from the England man but he didn’t have the end product to really worry the Reading defenders and couldn’t produce a similar impact that he had at Old Trafford in the previous round.
SUBS:
Gabriel – 6 – forced a terrific save from Federici just minutes after his introduction then wasted an even better chance moments later. Struggled with the physical presence of Pavel Pogrebnyak and his mistake almost gifted the Royals a goal late in normal time and was also shown a yellow card.
Olivier Giroud – 7 – More of a presence in attack for the Gunners after replacing Welbeck, he had the chance to wrap the game up in second half of extra-time but hit the post from close range.
Theo Walcott N/A – The winger’s pace certainly posed a threat to the Royals defence but he wasn’t on long enough to make a sufficient impact.