Arsenal 4 Reading 1 : Match Report & Match Highlights
30th March 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend & ArsenalSupremo
Gervinho scored one goal and set up two others and inspired Arsenal to a 4-1 demolition of struggling Reading on Saturday as the Gunners boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League for the 16th successive season, but ruining Nigel Adkins' return to managerial life in the Premier League. Gervinho scored the first at the Emirates Stadium and had a hand in second half goals for Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud on his first Premier League start since December. Hal Robson-Kanu pulled one back for Reading in Nigel Adkins' first match since taking over as Royals manager, but Mikel Arteta's late penalty condemned the visitors to defeat and saw them drop below Queens Park Rangers to the foot of the table.
There was even better news for Arsenal from Southampton, where Chelsea's 2-1 defeat meant the fifth placed Gunners are now just two points outside the top four. After successive victories over Bayern Munich and Swansea, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger kept faith with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and recalled Aaron Ramsey, Bacary Sagna, Gervinho and Tomas Rosicky to his starting line-up. Adkins only made two changes from predecessor Brian McDermott's last game in charge, with Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie both included.
Reading had lost their last six in all competitions, but began brightly, forcing a corner that Alex Pearce nodded two yards wide of Fabianski's far post. Arsenal were content to keep possession in the opening exchanges, but came alive after a minute's applause in tribute to former midfielder David Rocastle, who died of cancer on March 31, 2001. Gervinho was the architect in the 11th minute as he turned Nicky Shorey on the right touchline and fed Giroud inside the penalty area. Pearce managed to clear but only as far as Cazorla on the edge of the box and his pinpoint cross picked out Gervinho to side-foot home. Giroud thought he should have had a penalty when he was felled in the box by Reading goalkeeper Stuart Taylor but referee Chris Foy waved away the protests.
A bursting run from Gervinho that took him from his own half into the opposition penalty area should have ended in at least a shot on target but again his finishing let him down. Reading then had a lucky escape when the ball appeared to strike Mikele Leigertwood's hand following a corner and Foy failed to award the penalty. Seven minutes before the break, Cazorla had a golden opportunity for Arsenal to score the second goal that their build-up play deserved but his left-footed strike missed by a matter of inches. Gervinho also wasted a great chance just before the break to leave Wenger frustrated on the touchline. Any concerns that Arsenal may live to rue those missed opportunities evaporated two minutes after the break. Gervinho's short pass into the feet of Cazorla gave the Spaniard time to pick his spot and he unleashed a perfect curling shot from the edge of the penalty area that left Taylor grasping at thin air.
A superbly-timed tackle from Laurent Koscielny then denied Pogrebnyak the opening to register Reading's first shot on target. Pearce managed that from the resulting corner but his volley was comfortably held by Fabianski. A simple finish from Giroud after another quick break from Gervinho made it 3-0 in the 67th minute. However, Reading continued to fight for everything and they got their reward less than 90 seconds later when Jobi McAnuff picked out Robson-Kanu to head in.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought on for the final 15 minutes and the England youngster had an immediate impact. A clumsy challenge from Adrian Mariappa finally saw Chris Foy point to the spot, with Spanish midfielder Arteta slotting home. It was an all round brilliant performance from the Gunners, recording another crucial win.
The only downside of the game was when Nacho Monreal was replaced by Gibbs in the 71st minute after he collided with the post in an attempt to defend/save Reading's only goal. Arsene Wenger however, during his post match presser confirmed Monreal only suffered bruises and no not an injury. More good news from the injury front when Wenger also confirmed Theo Walcott is expected to return to the squad ahead of next game against West Bromich Albion, but Jack Wilshere still 2 weeks away. It was a day of near perfect display from Arsenal. The challenges ahead still massive, hope the lads are really up for it. What do you think of the result? Is it possible to get third place having seen the dip Chelsea are on, as they are still in 3 competitions. Free free comment below on what you think.
Lukas Podolski on the win
Arsenal have scored 16 goals against Reading this season. More than against any team in a single season in club history.
Mikel Arteta made (107) and completed (99) the most passes in the Premier League on the day and also scored a penalty.
John Motson BBC Match of the Day commentator :
"Reading were taken apart by an Arsenal side who are running into form. Their defeat could have been heavier and new manager Nigel Adkins will have to work hard before his side take on his former club Southampton. For Arsenal, it was a comfortable victory."
Gervinho scored one goal and set up two others and inspired Arsenal to a 4-1 demolition of struggling Reading on Saturday as the Gunners boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League for the 16th successive season, but ruining Nigel Adkins' return to managerial life in the Premier League. Gervinho scored the first at the Emirates Stadium and had a hand in second half goals for Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud on his first Premier League start since December. Hal Robson-Kanu pulled one back for Reading in Nigel Adkins' first match since taking over as Royals manager, but Mikel Arteta's late penalty condemned the visitors to defeat and saw them drop below Queens Park Rangers to the foot of the table.
There was even better news for Arsenal from Southampton, where Chelsea's 2-1 defeat meant the fifth placed Gunners are now just two points outside the top four. After successive victories over Bayern Munich and Swansea, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger kept faith with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and recalled Aaron Ramsey, Bacary Sagna, Gervinho and Tomas Rosicky to his starting line-up. Adkins only made two changes from predecessor Brian McDermott's last game in charge, with Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie both included.
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A bursting run from Gervinho that took him from his own half into the opposition penalty area should have ended in at least a shot on target but again his finishing let him down. Reading then had a lucky escape when the ball appeared to strike Mikele Leigertwood's hand following a corner and Foy failed to award the penalty. Seven minutes before the break, Cazorla had a golden opportunity for Arsenal to score the second goal that their build-up play deserved but his left-footed strike missed by a matter of inches. Gervinho also wasted a great chance just before the break to leave Wenger frustrated on the touchline. Any concerns that Arsenal may live to rue those missed opportunities evaporated two minutes after the break. Gervinho's short pass into the feet of Cazorla gave the Spaniard time to pick his spot and he unleashed a perfect curling shot from the edge of the penalty area that left Taylor grasping at thin air.
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| Santi Cazorla perfect curling shot |
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| Pic Via @ArsenalRealm |
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| Mikel Arteta celebrates his goal |
Lukas Podolski on the win
Deserved win today, we played well and after recovery from my injury the 20 minutes I had is all I needed, 3 more points. #GoArsenalStats and Facts :
— Lukas-Podolski.com(@Podolski10) March 30, 2013
Arsenal have scored 16 goals against Reading this season. More than against any team in a single season in club history.
Kieran Gibbs made his 100th appearance for Arsenal after coming on as a second half substitute.
Bacary Sagna created three chances on his return to the Arsenal side - no defender made more in the Premier League on the day.
Bacary Sagna created three chances on his return to the Arsenal side - no defender made more in the Premier League on the day.
Mikel Arteta made (107) and completed (99) the most passes in the Premier League on the day and also scored a penalty.
Santi Cazorla added his fourth Premier League goal in two games vs Reading and also set one up for Gervinho.
Gervinho scored one and assisted two of Arsenal's four goals against Reading today.
Arsenal are now second in the form table only just behind leaders Manchester United after losing just once in the last 6 games and winning the rest.
Matt Le Tissier spoke about the game who was covering the match for SkySports
"Reading were taken apart by an Arsenal side who are running into form. Their defeat could have been heavier and new manager Nigel Adkins will have to work hard before his side take on his former club Southampton. For Arsenal, it was a comfortable victory."
Reading manager Nigel Adkins:
"I thought Arsenal were very good, they've come here and passed the ball very well. Unfortunately, we've made our own downfall on a couple of goals. We wanted to adapt a couple of changes, but any team who came here would have found it difficult today.
Arsenal fixtures in April : W.B.A. (Away) Norwich (Home) Everton (Home) Fulham (Away) Manchester United (Home) What do you make of these fixtures do you think we can get maximum points from this please leave your comments on your opinions we would love to see what you think.
"I thought Arsenal were very good, they've come here and passed the ball very well. Unfortunately, we've made our own downfall on a couple of goals. We wanted to adapt a couple of changes, but any team who came here would have found it difficult today.
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