Arsene Wenger eyes record 12th FA Cup title as Arsenal scrape past Reading in semi-final
Gunners boss is a relieved man after his side struggle to overcome valiant second-tier Reading in extra-time of their semi-final encounter
Arsene Wenger set his sights on a record-breaking FA Cup triumph after holders Arsenal rode their luck to return to the final with a 2-1 win over Reading.
Wenger's club will contest a record 19th FA Cup final thanks to a howler from Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, who allowed Alexis Sanchez's tame extra-time shot to squirm into the net to settle a tense semi-final at Wembley on Saturday.
Federici's costly mistake allowed Arsenal to escape with a win they barely deserved from a performance that got progressively more disjointed after Garath McCleary's second-half strike cancelled out Sanchez's 39th-minute opener.
The spirit and concentration was there, but what was missing was the speed and sharpness of our combinations in the last third
Regardless of the manner of their progress, the result took Arsenal ahead of Manchester United on 19 FA Cup final appearances and a victory when they return to Wembley in May would give the north Londoners the trophy for the 12th time, breaking the record they share with United.
With the Premier League title looking out of reach after Chelsea's win against United on Saturday, lifting the Cup would maintain the feel-good factor at the end of another season in which Arsenal have displayed glimpses of greatness and moments of fallibility.
"The records show you are consistent, that is the most difficult thing to do," Wenger said.
"Overall, any final is a 50-50, but if we can win and get the record that would be great.
