Reading vs. Arsenal review Cazorla shines in great Gunners win
Arsene Wenger switched his Arsenal team around a bit, leaving Olivier Giroud on the bench and playing Theo Walcott through the middle, perhaps with the contract issue on his mind. Lukas Podolski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on either side would give lots of pace to the Gunners attack, while Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta had the skills to dominate midfield and there was a full strength defence as well.
No excuses then lads, put in the effort and Arsenal should get a well needed win. Chamberlain showed early intent with a great driving run and shot, and Arsenal were looking sharp but Reading had also showed their threat down the wing. The home side seemed happy to defend and play on the break, possibly worried about the pace of Arsenal up front, which meant Arsenal were trying to thread a needle on the edge of the Reading box.
Podolski and Gibbs combined well on the left, and Gibbs found Podolski who controlled and finished easily, taking some pressure off Arsenal early on. The Gunners had Reading in their sights, and Walcott nearly doubled the lead after 20 minutes. A couple of chances for Reading were a warning that we needed to get the goals our dominance deserved. Everyone felt better when Podolski turned provider with a great cross for Cazorla to score with his head.
Minutes later, another good cross from the Ox and Cazorla scored again. We could easily have got more before the break but it was almost the perfect half and was just what we needed. The second half started the same for Arsenal, so it was good to see them tracking back and working hard when Reading did come forward.
Cazorla and Podolski were the best players on the pitch, so it was fitting that they were involved in a fantastic move which led to the Spaniard’s hat-trick. Then an awful pass by Gibbs let Reading get one back, and with 20 minutes to go poor defending let them in again, and it was getting nervy. The introduction of Ramsey for Chamberlain didn’t help the fears of Arsenal fans either.
Walcott had been sharp and hungry all night and he finally got his goal with a crisp finish to put the game to bed. Now Arsenal need to sign him up and keep it up.
Everyone seems to be forgetting that Man U only just beat reading 4-3 and we just smashed them 5-2. This win is a lot more positive than a lot of ppl are trying to make out! COYG!!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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The two goals are the only dissapointing thing about the night but to be fair Reading play such an open game that there always going to score goals but they ship in way to many the other end. MU Let in 3 against them so i guess we shouldn’t beat the team up about it. But its something to improve on, now lets go and beat wigan on Saturday and get some consistancy with the results. The next 4 games are all games we should be able to win and if we do i would bet we will be sitting in 3rd place in the new year.
January will be an important month for us not just with transfers but i think we play United and Chelsea/City. Which will be big games for us.
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Wigan will be a good test for us. Reading are just unpredictable lol wigan are actually half decent and we can use that as a benchmark to see how good we are.
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good win some consistency in the league thats 2 for 2, but 2 poor goals to concede specially the first, is it too much to ask players concentrate for the full 90min very poor from gibbs who had a good game otherwise, still room for improvement.
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its a good win..theres still room for heaps of improvement..
Arsenal Underachieving players better shape up or ship out…
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WE NEED TO WIN FEW GAMES ON A BOUNCE
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Let’s not get carried away. Chamakh scored two against them. They are canon fodder and yet we conceded still. When Reading scored their second we wobbled big time. We still give away far too many chances. The real difference
was playing Walcott up front. Reading dropped deep as they were scared of his pace which allowed the midfield more space and Santi to exploit.
Hope Wenger now learns that lesson. Balance on the flanks was good to see as well. No room for Gervinho now.
The only problem now is we are going to lose that option in a month coz we failed to give him a chance in this position and pay the guy the same amount as a russian who wenger hardly plays……..
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Great game we moved the ball well and defended well until the high leg on wilshire we dropped the concentration but gained it again the team should apply themselves in every match i enjoyed the match
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IMO there is no nid for a striker!We have walcott and giroud who can rotate not forgetting we have podolski too!Our problem is if walcott move to the forward position,we lack wingers!Thats what we nid is actually a winger like Ericksen or Demba ba!A dm like felliani too.Good game btw from arsenal!
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@L: Yes, Reading did play well, but still lost, against ManU. That is one game – Anecdotal info. They are bottom of the table. Most BPL teams have played well for one game against a top team somewhere in their season – that fact does not suddenly change their season as a whole or make them a good team.
Arsenal did play very well though.
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AW just can’t help himself. After choosing what I think was a great team who played a great game, he just had to stick Ramsey in the game instead of giving some playing time for someone who deserves it.
It is like tasting sour milk, putting in back in the cooler, then after eating a good meal, pulling the milk back out to see if it tastes better. It is insanity.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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@ripple: you will eat your own words when Ramsey comes good. He’s young he’s talented. Just need some confidence and a good run of games. Podolski should stick at the left side, he is much better there. There is only 1 good game he had when starting as the middle man. Overall good win, created lots of chances, abit sloppy on the 2 goals especially mertesacker who literally fell asleep on the first goal. I expect another 3 points against wigan! COYG
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@AFCF once you said that Demba Ba is a winger, we know how clueless you are
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I wake up at 3am here in vietnam and enjoyed a very nice game. However, the best thing i feel is the change aw made. Pls keep this line up and got 3 points more again next match. I love arsenal.
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It was good game by the boys, though still loads of work in defence.
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good performance…….another mistake tho…..theo said he wanted to play up top…….now sign
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@Huy liem
Haha, me to I woke up here in Malaysia at 4 AM to enjoy this game. Fantastic game, hope we keep this run going and break into the top 2!
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Well I got up at 7am to watch it and went to work at 4 nil. It was the Arsenal that could beat anyone. Nice way to start the day.
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Let us continue using that format. Walcot should be played in that position. Regards gooners
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