This is a picture of the man of the match.

Image source, Getty Images

Alexis Sanchez picked up 70% of the vote.

Two goals, 75% of his passes completed and three chances created. He mucked in alright.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger speaking to BBC Sport: "A tough game yes. They defended well and we didn't find our stride. They were strong in challenges and we struggled to win 50/50s. They were on a different planet for motivation. It is a semi-final and it does not go easy. A team like that, the occasion of their life, and they will not give up.

"We controlled the first half comfortably but they came into it second half. We started flat but they were more aggressive and we lost more balls.

"When you are in the final you can win it. We will prepare well, finish well in the league and then come back here and do all we can to win it. We all want a trophy. It is difficult to deliver but all you want is the attitude."

Image source, AP

The numbers show Arsenal's upper hand but none can sum up the calamitous circumstances in which their win was sealed.

Arsene Wenger's side played 851 passes to Reading's 314. While Reading may draw plaudits for their battle, the Premier League side won more duels on the day, 96 to 71.

Former England winger Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live

"You have got to say Reading put in a spirited performance and at times they matched Arsenal. They rolled their sleeves up, they were honest and committed but overall the best team won.

"Arsenal had that extra bit of quality and it showed, they have played better in the last two months but they are in a final and have a chance to win it but they will have to play better against either Liverpool or Aston Villa."

Images of Adam Federici before he raced down the tunnel make for uncomfortable viewing. He is absolutely distraught.

Image source, Reuters

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has swapped shirts with the man who was best man at his wedding Chris Gunter and tells BBC Sport his side were "made to work" for their progress.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game but they came out and showed great character to come back into it," says Ramsey. "We were on the ropes at times but dealt with it and had a bit of luck with the last goal.

"On these occasions things like that happen but Reading made us work for this today."

Lee Allen: Got to be one of the cruellest ways to concede and so harsh on Federici as he made some stunning saves.

Tomas Austin: I'm an Arsenal fan and even I feel bad for the Reading keeper.

There will be tears. They will belong to Reading fans and Adam Federici will cry his own river. What a way to exit.

Arsenal will contest their 19th FA Cup final on 30 May.

Alexis Sanchez shoots in pursuit of a hat-trick but the wall does its job.

The Gunners slow the ball down, killing time, they have it in a tight grip. Theo Walcott injects some pace, that's what he does, foul by Danny Williams on the edge of the area and I think that is this race won...

Arsenal have around 90 seconds to go. Win and they are the most successful team in FA Cup history with more trophies and final appearances combined than any other side.

Here come the long balls into their area but Arsenal stand tall and break...

Now it is kitchen sink time. Get that ball forward if you want to prolong this one Royals. They do but Jamie Mackie is flagged offside.

This is still gripping.

Arsenal probe. No sign of them shutting up shop, not in their make-up.

Michael Hector foils Theo Walcott. He has been outstanding at the back for Reading.

Have we reached kitchen sink time? Maybe not yet, another minute or two. Reading need to pepper that Arsenal area with trouble.

Chris Gunter gets forward from full-back but cannot deliver a cross under pressure.

Reading's supporters look concerned. The songs seem to have dried up for the first time today.

Wonderful stuff from Mesut Ozil as he sparks an attack with a deft backheel then collects a return from Aaron Ramsey to slip in Olivier Giroud... shot... post. The angle was getting tighter with every millisecond and Giroud rattled the near post.

Reading look on bleary eyed as Arsenal keep possession for a spell, drawing any unwanted sting out of this game with every nudge of the ball.

Yakubu is on for Pavel Pogrebnyak who has been a nuisance today, maybe that change is a bit surprising.

Reading have to make free-kicks like this count, it's in the Arsenal half, up come the big men and one gets a flick on it but Wojciech Szczesny is brave and punches as he jumps over bodies.

Yakubu is coming on shortly...

Former England winger Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live

"I think the keeper will put his hand up there, he could have done better. It was a tired shot from Sanchez to the near post and the keeper spills the ball. You have to feel sorry for Reading for the effort they had put in."

Adam Federici has made seven saves today, Wojciech Szczesny - three.

What will the papers say about this? Lucky? A let off? Would a third goal at least gloss over some Arsenal fortune?

Mesut Ozil has a go but pulls a shot wide from the edge of the area. Left footed, it's wayward.