Arsenal vs Reading preview: What time does it start, is it on TV and where can I watch it live?

A look ahead to the EFL Cup match at the Emirates

Arsenal's Francis Coquelin against Reading in the 2015 FA Cup semi-final (Getty)

It’s a big game for…

Oliver Giroud: Injury, form and a period of rest after the Euros have all limited the Frenchman’s playing time. Having failed to find the net so far this season, the Gunners’ main goalscorer in the last few seasons will be hoping to get off the mark against Championship opposition.

Best stat…

On 17 December 2012, Santi Cazorla became only the third Spaniard to score a hat-trick in the Premier League, achieving the feat in a 5-2 win against the Royals at the Madejski. Since then, only one of Cazorla’s compatriots has done the same – Diego Costa, who netted three times against Swansea two years ago.

Remember when…

Reading and Arsenal played in what turned out to be the joint highest-scoring game in EFL Cup history?

Player to watch…

John Swift: Snapped up by Reading on a permanent basis in the summer having come through Chelsea’s academy system. An energetic midfielder who has already bagged four goals and three assists this season, he will be looking to prove himself against Premier League opposition.

Past three meetings…

Reading 1 (McCleary) Arsenal 2 (Sanchez 2)
FA Cup, April 2015

Arsenal 4 (Gervinho, Cazorla, Giroud, Arteta) Reading 1 (Robson-Kanu)
Premier League, March 2013

Reading 2 (Le Fondre, Kebe) Arsenal 5 (Cazorla 3, Podolski, Walcott)
Premier League, December 2012

Prediction

Form guide…

Arsenal: WWWWWD

Reading: WLDDLW

Vital information…

Kick-off: 7.45pm BST on Tuesday

TV: Highlights on Channel 5, 10.30pm BST on Wednesday

Odds…

Arsenal: 3/10

Reading: 11/1

Draw: 11/2