Arsenal 2 – 0 Reading
Arsenal were back to their stylish best as they ripped Reading apart, with two first half goals.
The game didn’t really get started until midway through the first half, when Arsenal got in to their groove and were playing their intricate passing game.
Arsenal were completely dominating the play and created two good chances. Both were headed opportunities and both missed the target from close range, first by Adebayor and then Song.
It didn’t take long for Arsenal to gain the lead though. On 29 minutes, Theo Walcott started the move down the right wing, he cut in short to Kolo Toure who played an inch perfect ball to Adebayor on the edge of the Reading box. Adebayor’s first touch was a good one and left him one on one with Hahnemann. Adebayor side footed to Hahnemann’s left into the bottom corner of the net, his 27th goal of the season.
Just 8 minutes later and Arsenal doubled their lead. Great work from Fabregas on the left, he then slotted the ball into the centre of the park just outside the box. Gilberto was running in, controlled and struck towards goal, Bikey got his head on the shot, which only helped the ball past the helpless Hahnemann.
Before half time, Arsenal continued to create, Van Persie with an effort that was saved and Song again from a corner before Gilberto had another strike saved from outside the box.
Reading surely would have been wondering what they can do after they were so clearly outclassed during the first half.
Unfortunately for Reading, Arsenal continued in the second period, like they ended the first, in complete control and creating chance after chance.
Fabregas was pulling the strings in midfield for Arsenal, Van Persie was looking sharp and Walcott’s pace was always stretching Reading.
On 70 minutes, Walcott was felled just on the edge of the box. Van Persie lined the ball up for the spot kick, which was struck with venom, but the ball rebounded off of the crossbar, then the post. Seconds later, Fabregas laid the ball up for Walcott to strike from the left, his strike also rebounded off of the crossbar to safety.
Reading had a flurry of attacking possession with 15 minutes to go, with their best chance being chance seeing Convey’s strike deflected for a corner.
Despite their domination, Arsenal were unable to build on the two first half goals and were pehaps guilty of not taking advantage of the many chances they created.
