Motivated Reading surprised Arsenal at start of semifinal, Arsene Wenger says

A howling error from Reading keeper Adam Federici handed Alexis Sanchez the decisive third goal in a tie that saw Arsenal struggle to produce their best form throughout, with Wenger conceding he was surprised by the commitment levels shown by Steve Clarke's Royals.

"It was tough," Wenger told the BBC. "They defended well, we didn't find our stride and they were very strong in the challenges.

"We struggled to win the 50-50s and they were on a different planet in terms of motivation compared to what we have seen on tape.

"They surprised us and we could not score the second goal. It was the occasion of their lives and they did not give up until the end. You give them credit for that.

"We started flat, but we dominated the first half and then they decided to go a bit more on the aggressive side and we suddenly started to lose balls that we didn't lose in the first half."

Wenger sympathised with Federici, who had played splendidly until his error in the 105th minute.

"In the end, we were a bit lucky because their keeper made a mistake and I can understand that he is distraught, but as well he kept them in the game for long periods," Wenger said in his news conference.

After Sanchez's opener, Reading drew level on 54 minutes when Garath McCleary's volley was deflected past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who could only palm the ball back over the line.

"What was missing was a bit of speed of combination and sharpness in the final third maybe, but overall the concentration was there," Wenger said. "I don't think we switched off [for Reading's goal], but after half-time we did not come on with the same intensity. We started to suffer and we paid for that."

Wenger refused to single out Szczesny for blame on the Reading goal.

"I would have to see it again," he said. "At first I thought it was not in because it took some time for the referee to give the goal, so I thought 'OK, we escaped.' But on slow motion maybe he goes back a bit to save the ball with his feet, then when the ball bounces, it was certainly over the line.

"We will have to analyse it, but the cross should not have come in and after the guy was free, so it was a combination of mistakes."

Wenger will now get the chance to win the FA Cup for a sixth time as Arsenal manager in next month's final, as he suggested his side's eagerness to win the trophy for a second successive season is proving to be a difficult challenge.

"When you are in the final, you can win it and of course we want to win," Wenger told the BBC. "Let's prepare well, finish well in the championship and then we will come back to Wembley and do everything to win it.

"We all want to win trophies, but we have seen today that it is difficult to deliver. All you want is the attitude and commitment to keep your fans happy."