Reading boss Brian McDermott is looking forward to their Capital One Cup tie with Arsenal tonight.

Former Gunners midfielder McDermott hailed opposite number Arsene Wenger's "phenomenal achievement" of leading the club into the Champions League for 15 consecutive seasons, backing the Frenchman's claim it was the equivalent of winning silverware.

McDermott said: "The big thing for the top teams is to qualify for the Champions League and Arsene Wenger's done that over the last - what - 14 years.

"In his early years, he won so many trophies.

"I'm sure they want to win trophies - of course they do - but they always qualify for the Champions League, which is a phenomenal achievement in itself."