Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin is expecting a tough fight from Reading in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.

The Premier League side, placed second on the English top flight table, take on the Championship Royals at Wembley and Coquelin feels it will be a tricky contest.

"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.com.

"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."

Coquelin spent the first half of the season on loan at Charlton Athletic and helped the Addicks to a 1-0 away victory over Reading back in November, in which he came on as a second-half substitute.

He added: "I remember a tough game (against Reading 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 (striker Pavel) 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."

Since returning from his loan at Charlton, the French midfielder has made 22 appearances for the Gunners.