Diaby wary of Reading threat

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby insists his side will not underestimate Reading at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger’s men are favourites for the clash as they face a Reading side that find themselves firmly in the relegation mire, sitting seven points adrift of safety.

But despite winning the past two matches against their opponents, Diaby insists victory over a side threatened by the prospect of relegation will not be an easy task.

“It is very difficult (against teams near the bottom of the table),” he told the club’s website.

“They are fighting against relegation, and we are fighting to be in the top four.

“We may be favourites, but we know it’s not going to be an easy game. But if we can play our game, we know we can score goals.”

Reading provided Wenger’s men with a real scare when the two sides met in their 7-5 League Cup clash earlier this season.

Diaby said Arsenal needed to show the same fight they did when overturning a four-goal deficit to progress.

“It was crazy,” he said. “The way we came back and responded after half-time was unbelievable.

“At 4-0 down, you know it’ll be really hard but we showed really good character and that is what we need to carry all the time, especially now.”