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Coquelin - We must start on front foot

Francis Coquelin says Arsenal must impose themselves from the very first whistle of Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The Gunners have won 16 of their past 18 matches and are heavy favourites to progress against Championship side Reading.

However, Coquelin - who played against the Royals earlier this season while on loan at Charlton - says they will have to make a fast start to the match.

"Whether you are in the Championship or the Premier League, in a game like this the team who puts the most pressure on and creates the most chances will win"

Francis Coquelin

“You know the FA Cup, you don’t know what to expect - any team is ready for it and it is always a tough game at any stage,” he told Arsenal Player.

“A semi-final at Wembley will be even tougher. We need to be ready and start on the front foot. Hopefully we can do that and win the game.

“I remember a tough game [against them for Charlton]. We won 1-0, but to be honest I don’t think we really deserved it.

“They put a lot of pressure on us, they have Pogrebnyak up front who is a big threat, and on the wings they have great players as well. We know it will be a tough game, it is a semi-final and the league you play in doesn’t matter.

“Whether you are in the Championship or the Premier League, in a game like this the team who puts the most pressure on and creates the most chances will win. If everyone is focused, we know we can get a good result.”

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