Reading v Arsenal: The Brief

With a place in the Continental Cup final at stake, this weekend’s trip to Reading will be one that fans will not want to miss.

THE OPPOSITION

The Royals have struggled for form in the league and sit in sixth place with just eight points, but have found their feet in the Continental Cup.

We clashed earlier in the season in our group game fixture and were beaten 2-1 thanks to goals from former Gunner Fara Williams, which saw them beat us to the top spot.

In the quarter-finals they beat Everton on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

MONTEMURRO’S THOUGHTS

Although having only taken charge of two games, Joe Montemurro has the chance to take us to a cup final in his first season, but is keeping his feet on the ground.

“Reading are a very good team with a lot of experience in key areas and are very stable, solid and organised,” he told Arsenal.com. “We have to approach the game with caution, but also we have our belief in the way we want to play and dictate, dominating from the start. Hopefully we can have a positive outcome from the game.

“I think there’s a different approach now, a different belief. That belief was shown at the weekend, in terms of if the football is not happening there’s resilience and fight to continue and go the full 90 minutes. It’s a cup game, so we have to manage it in a smart way.

“It would be amazing to win a trophy in my first season, obviously we’re in this game to win trophies, we’re in this profession to succeed and go all the way with whatever competition we’re in so I think it’s important to have that winning mentality and I think it would be great to take home some silverware.”

ONE TO WATCH

Emma Mitchell celebrates with Danielle van de Donk

With four goals already this season from defence, Emma Mitchell has added another aspect to her game in this campaign.

The Scotland international has proved to be both a rock at the back, but also a threat going forward, capable of striking with either foot or her head.

LAST TIME WE MET

The Royals were victorious as they beat us 2-1 at Meadow Park, thanks to a brace from Williams.

Williams opened the scoring shortly after the break, before Beth Mead equalised shortly after, only for Williams to score instantly from the kick-off to win it for Reading..