Arsenal and Reading will contest a place in the FA Cup final this weekend at Wembley.
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The Gunners undoubtedly go into the match as favourites as they are currently the form team in Europe, winning an incredible 16 of their last 18 matches.
Reading meanwhile would struggle to be on a more difficult run, with Steve Clarke’s side taking a mere three points from six games since they booked their place in this semi-final in March.
Here’s how we think Arsene Wenger may line his side up to trounce the Championship challengers:
GK: Wojciech Szczesny
Wenger has already confirmed that Szczesny will star this game with the Pole becoming the club’s de facto Cup keeper this term.
The larger question remains just how long will Szczesny remain at Arsenal if these are the only opportunities he’s afforded.
RB: Hector Bellerin
Howe much can change throughout a season, Hector Bellerin posted this snap earlier this week showing just where he was the last time Arsenal won a trophy at Wembley…and now he’s in line for a starting role!
#TBT Wembley at start of this season. A lot has happened in 8 months… pic.twitter.com/G4pBge34mI
— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin) April 16, 2015
Bellerin could expose Reading’s love for attacking on the wings by taking advantage of the space in behind their foraying wingers.
It would be tempting to start Calum Chambers in his stead to count a likely all out assault from wide areas but Bellerin’s speed could catch the Championship side cold if they commit too many men.
CB: Per Mertesacker
Very comfortable with Burnley’s crossing tactics and their ability to pump the ball into the box, a style Reading are similarly impressive at.
He’ll be hoping to make the same impact he did last season with a goal to ensure the Gunners remained in the semi-final with Wigan before winning on penalties – albeit he might not want to give away another penalty to get them in trouble in the first place.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
Koscielny was part of the incredible 7-5 League cup bout between these two sides which actually saw Arsenal coming back from 4 goals down in the first half.
It will likely be up to him to handle Pavel Pogrebnyak and he’ll want to do a better job than he did on that memorable night in 2012.
LB: Nacho Monreal
Effectively the Arsenal first-choice after a number of brilliant displays in recent months that have resigned Kieran Gibbs to the bench.
His opening goal got Arsenal on their way to a 2-1 win in the last round and he’ll look to make a similar impact today.
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