Steve Coppell has challenged his Reading players to defy the odds and claim an unexpected victory at Arsenal. The Royals travel to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Saturday knowing they are still some way from securing their Barclays Premier League status.

Last week's 2-0 home defeat by fellow strugglers Fulham cut a healthy points cushion in half and the Royals know they could be back in the bottom three by Sunday if they lose and results elsewhere go against them.

Arsene Wenger's side have not lost any of their last 21 home matches in the league and although few are expecting Reading to end that run, Coppell was nonetheless upbeat.

He said: "This game won't break our season but it could make it. As far as I'm concerned it is not a no-lose game because with four games to go a loss is significant but there is everything to play for and everything to gain for us."