Reading 1-2 Arsenal

by Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

at Wembley

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger says that his team has matured after they needed a fortunate Alexis Sanchez winner in extra time on Saturday evening to squeeze past Championship outfit Reading and reach the FA Cup final.

The Gunners weren’t at their best and struggled to replicate the form that has seen them win their last eight league matches in succession.

It mirrored games against Wigan Athletic and Hull City in the competition last season, where they started as overwhelming favourites but made hard work of getting over the line, however Wenger believes those experiences have been beneficial.

“We have learned from our hiccups and we have matured a little bit. Today when moments were difficult the team kept going and you can see that we don’t feel sorry for ourselves, we just keep going,” the Frenchman said after the game.

“Today our backs were against the wall and we responded well, the team has great spirit, great togetherness and that helps.”

Sanchez broke the deadlock six minutes before the break, but a mistake from Wojciech Szczesny gifted Reading winger Garath McCleary the equaliser early in the second half.

It was another error which proved decisive and eventually won the game for the Gunners.

At the halfway point in extra-time, Adam Federici cost his side the tie as he allowed a routine Sanchez effort to squirm under his body and into the net.

Wenger, who witnessed a defensive mix-up against Birmingham City in the 2011 League Cup final, was sympathetic towards Australian international Federici and praised his performance on the day.

“A goalkeeper that doesn’t make mistakes does not exist.” he insisted.“Overall (Federici) carries that with him, time helps better than any manager and to focus on the next game.”

“Once it’s done it’s done and you have to live it, some carry that their whole life and some recover quickly and forget about it.

“I believe he should be comforted by the fact that he had a great game.”

Steve Clarke challenged his Reading side to use the defeat as a springboard to mount a challenge for promotion next season.

“I’ve said to the players that if they want to be back in the Premier League the year after next, then this is the type of performance that we have to produce week-in, week-out.

“If they do that, we could be back in the Premier League, which is what everyone wants.”