Morning all.

I do like reading Mark Lawrenson’s comments, especially as he’s had to change them all so often recently:

Reading will try to make it difficult for them but even if Arsene Wenger’s side find themselves in a battle or under pressure, they are better at dealing with it than other Arsenal teams of the last few years.

Of course Reading will try and make it difficult for us, otherwise why bother? And if we don’t ‘turn up’, we’ll be in trouble!

As for Arsenal, yes, we are better than we have been for a while, a long while and if football was played ‘on paper’ – weΒ would romp to an easy victory this evening, but it’s not and I for one don’t envisage an easy 90 minutes for the boys.

They have nothing to lose and it is a special occasion for them –Β ArsΓ¨ne Wenger

In the Championship, Reading have suffered a pretty poor season.Β Not too long ago they were in the Premier League causing a few upsets but right now, they look a long way off of repeating that achievement. Just eight points separate Reading and a relegation place. I hope they are safe, I really do, they are my local side and if they were playing anyone else today I’d be right behind them…..

But Arsenal sit above them in my footballing heart….

Reading haven’t had an easy route to Wembley. Ok, they haven’t faced a Premier League side but they’ve been drawn away in every round and got the better of Derby, Cardiff and of course, Chelsea conquerors, Bradford City…

They have nothing to lose and it is a special occasion for them –Β ArsΓ¨ne Wenger

Our route to this semi-final has been a lot tougher – certainly the quarter-final but that night in Manchester was special, not only did we finally beat Utd but we booked our place for Wembley today.

This time last season, Per Mertesacker spared us from what would have been a dreadful defeat to Championship side Wigan. His equaliser meant penalties,Β Lukasz Fabianski stole the show…

Reading have players who can create goals and score them.Β They have Pavel Pogrebnyak up front who has plenty of experience, including international at International level. Jamie Mackie, Hal Robson-Kanu, and Garath McCleary can all cause problems on their day.

Arsenal cannot afford to let it be their day….

They have nothing to lose and it is a special occasion for them –Β ArsΓ¨ne Wenger

I hope Arsene Wenger drills that message to the players because if they don’t perform, or think this game will be easy, we’ll be out of the FA Cup.

Reading will be up for it that’s for sure and there’s little, perhaps no pressure on them and that’s when sides perform at their best.

I’m not going to guess who will start but barring Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arteta, we have a full squad.

Whoever plays hasΒ to want this victory badly. It’s our Cup right now so let’s do all we can to keep it. Don’t take Reading lightly, treat them with respect, play well, work hard for each other from start to finish and get the job done.

100% Arsenal. Give 100%!

WeΒ are on a great run, let’s not let it end today, in fact let’s not let it end until this 2014/15 campaign is over!

COYRRG’S!!!