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LONDON. — Nigeria striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni is confident that his English Championship side, Reading FC, “can beat” Arsenal in today’s FA Cup semi-finals at the Wembley.

The 32-year-old is also banking on his scoring record against the Gunners to get among the goals in Saturday’s Cup semis.

But the former Middlesbrough and Portsmouth is quick to caution is teammates of the fact that they have to put in their best display as Arsenal “are a good team with great players” who can punish them for any mistake.

“For sure we can beat them. You can beat any team. You have to believe. We are playing at Wembley against one of the best teams in England.

“But we’re not just going there to play. We’re going there to give it our best to win.

“I can’t remember how many exactly, but I know I always score against Arsenal. They are a good team so when you play against them you have to be ready and focused. Any mistake they are going to punish you because they have great players. They pass the ball very well. So we just have to stick together, defend well and then hopefully we can surprise everyone,” said Yakubu.

Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal stars to heed the lessons of last season’s narrow escape at Wembley when the holders face Reading.

Wenger’s side head back to Wembley as firm favourites to see off the Championship strugglers and advance to a second successive FA Cup final.

Arsenal have risen to second in the Premier League after reeling off eight consecutive victories, a powerful run that has stretched to 11 wins from 12 games in all competitions.

“We know that it (semifinal) is always tricky. We have learnt from Wigan last year,” Wenger said.

“The urgency level will be quite high in our team.

“Reading have many players who have the experience in the Premier League.

“They have a very efficient style, who go a lot for crosses, so for us they can be a danger going forward.”

Wenger has a near full-strength side to choose from this weekend, with England midfielder Jack Wilshere having returned to full fitness.

“Everybody feels that it is difficult to get in the team, all the players have top, top quality,” Wenger said.

“They have to accept it and to respect the decision, that is what you want from the players.”

But although everything has been going swimmingly for Arsenal of late, Wenger was in a rather irritable mood in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Reading tie.

He was especially irked by questions about Jurgen Klopp, the Borussia Dortmund coach who has been linked with Wenger’s job in the past and will leave the German club at the end of the season.

“I’m not an agency to place managers and I like every manager and respect everybody, but I find that circus a bit ridiculous,” he said.

Asked whether Klopp, reported to be a potential Manchester City target, would suit Arsenal in the future, Wenger snapped: “I already answered this question.”

Wenger was also vexed by the decision to schedule Chelsea’s crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United for almost the same time as his club’s meeting with Reading.

“I am a bit surprised that a (Premier League) game of the same stature is played at the same time. There is a bit of conflict there that is difficult to understand,” Wenger said.

“Something should be done about it. You would like it (FA Cup) to be the unique competition, especially a semifinal and a final. You would want it not to conflict with other competitions.” — AFP.