Gunners ride FA Cup wave

Cape Town - Alexis Sanchez sent holders Arsenal back to the FA Cup final as the Chile winger benefitted from Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici's howler to seal a 2-1 win at Wembley on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's team struggled to impose themselves on their Championship opponents for much of a tense semi-final and were forced into extra-time after Garath McCleary struck in the second half to cancel out Sanchez's opener.

The Gunners avoided the lottery of a penalty shoot-out thanks to a gift from Australian international Federici, who allowed Sanchez's shot to slip agonisingly through his grasp in the first period of extra-time.