Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised Reading's motivation in their FA Cup semi-final as being from another planet.
The Championship side lost 2-1 to Arsenal at Wembley, but pushed the Gunners to extra time, making Wenger's side sweat for their spot in the final of a competition they are defending this season.
Alexis Sanchez handed Arsenal the lead in the 39th minute, converting from close range. But Reading would not lie down and Garath McCleary drew them level in the 54th minute with a neat volley.
Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici was in good form, making a superb save, while Arsenal also hit the post, as the Royals kept the scoreline at 1-1 to force extra time.
But in the 106th minute Federici made a mistake when he allowed a Sanchez shot to spill through his hands.
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Reading pushed for an equaliser, but could not find a way through and Wenger's men booked their spot in the final, leaving the Arsenal manager with nothing but praise for the Championship outfit.
"A tough game yes. They defended well and we didn't find our stride. They were strong in challenges and we struggled to win 50/50s", Wenger told the BBC.
"They were on a different planet for motivation. It is a semi-final and it does not go easy. A team like that, the occasion of their life, and they will not give up.
"We controlled the first half comfortably, but they came into it second half. We started flat but they were more aggressive and we lost more balls."
And now the Arsenal boss is eyeing his side defending the trophy they won last season.
"When you are in the final you can win it.
"We will prepare well, finish well in the league and then come back here and do all we can to win it. We all want a trophy. It is difficult to deliver but all you want is the attitude."
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