LONDON -- Three observations from Arsenal vs. Reading in the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley Stadium.
1. Arsenal squeeze through
This was Arsenal's third FA Cup game at Wembley in the space of a year -- two semifinals and a final. Each has been against poor opposition and has produced a nervous performance. Each has gone to extra-time, yet each has finished happily. Arsenal never make things easy for themselves.
At this stage last season, they needed penalties to progress past Wigan, a Championship side, before coming back from 2-0 down against Hull City in the FA Cup final to win 3-2 after extra-time thanks to Aaron Ramsey's fine finish.