Exclusive – Reading and Arsenal legend brands timing of FA Cup semi-final as ‘ridiculous’

Former Arsenal midfielder and ex-Reading manager Brian McDermott has branded the timing of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final between his two former sides ‘ridiculous.’

The Gunners and the Royals are scheduled to kick off at 5.20pm, while Chelsea and Manchester United get started just ten minutes later in a crunch Premier League clash.

Understandably, there is a consensus that the tie could be overshadowed by the Premier League showdown, and McDermott believes the decision doesn’t make any sense.

“It’s ridiculous. I can’t get my head around why a game of such magnitude, a semi-final of the FA Cup, is kicking off at that time and a massive Premier League game is kicking off just ten minutes later,” said the 54-year-old.

“It just doesn’t really make any sense to me.”

McDermott insists the move serves as evidence to the waning influence and interest in the FA Cup, citing a double standards from the authorities behind the decision.

“Managers get criticised for picking weakened teams in the FA Cup and then you get a situation like this. That can’t be right,” he added.

McDermott spent 13 years in total at Reading in various roles and eight years at Arsenal as a player, while he now works at the Emirates as a scout, so his loyalties are split evenly.

Arsenal are experiencing a fantastic run of form having won their last ten domestic fixtures but, while Reading are struggling in the Championship, McDermott insists Arsene Wenger’s side are not underestimating their opposition.

He said: “They are really taking this game seriously and they’ve left nothing to chance as far as the scout reports of Reading are concerned.

“It’s the semi-final of the FA Cup - the only thing they are trying to do is get to Wembley.”