Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has insisted that Reading will be difficult to beat when the two teams meet in the Premier League this weekend.

Saturday's match at the Emirates Stadium marks Nigel Adkins's first game in charge of the visitors since he took over on Tuesday.

Despite Reading's position near the bottom of the table, Diaby insists that they will not lie down against the Gunners.

"They are fighting against relegation, and we are fighting to be in the top four," he told the club's official website.

"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."

Arsenal will start the game four points adrift of the Champions League places, but with a game in hand on fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.