Match Report: Reading 2-5 Arsenal (inc. goal highlights)

Arsenal enjoyed another goal-fest in Berkshire as they routed Reading 5-2 with a fine display of attacking football which saw Santi Cazorla grab his first hattrick in English football. Lukas Podolski opened the scoring for the Gunners early on before the summer signing from Spain extended the lead to 4-0 with three finishes from close range either side of half-time. Reading scored a quick-fire brace through Adam Le Fondre and Jimmy Kébé as they threatened a comeback but despite the wobble Arsene Wenger’s side calmly finished the job with a late Theo Walcott effort.

Seven weeks ago in the Capital One Cup Arsenal’s second-string started at the Madejski Stadium like a team of drunks and paid the price by deservedly falling four goals behind. This evening, a side featuring only Theo Walcott from the crazy 7-5 win, meant business from the off.

Within 90 seconds Oxlade-Chamberlain hit a low drive which forced a fine save from Adam Federici then Walcott flashed a free-kick wide from long-range. Noel Hunt nearly headed in a corner as Reading showed a little bite but by the time we opened the scoring on 13 minutes few would say we didn’t deserve it.

Gibbs and Podolski worked their way down the left side, the former whipped in a tasty ball to the onrushing German who took one touch and finished low. It was incisive play with a decisive finish to match. 1-0.

We looked confident on the ball in the centre of midfield, played with zip and created chances at will. Cazorla and Podolski both flashed wide before Walcott, played clean through by the little Spaniard, was denied when bearing down on goal one-on-one with Federici.

There was a weariness in the voice of the home support as they watched their nervous team repeatedly give away possession. A scrappy Gibbs effort was blocked and Wilshere bounced a volley goalwards which was tipped over.

The Royals looked all over the shop and although Vermaelen had to be on his guard to clear a ball across the Arsenal six-yard box there wasn’t much threat to deal with. On the break we looked like a Wenger team of old. One beautiful move saw Walcott bound forward and loft a fine cross field ball to Cazorla although on this occasion the final ball from the midfielder was lacking.

Finally we got the second our pressure deserved. Arteta spread play to Podolski, the German went outside the challenging left-back, looked up, crossed beautifully and Santi Cazorla of all people headed home. The little man looked as baffled as anyone that he’d used his bonce to score. 2-0.

Two minutes later it was 3-0. Wilshere fed Walcott who stood the ball up to the back post where Gibbs headed back to Cazorla who swivelled on a sixpence to punish Reading again.

Podolski and Chamberlain nearly added a fourth before half-time before the referee brought the curtain down on our most dominant 45 minutes of the season so far.

The question in the second half was whether Arsenal could keep up the momentum.We certainly tried.

Chamberlain fired over within seconds of the restart, then a couple of moments later a Walcott cross nearly ended up in the back of the net courtesy of a Reading defender. The England international then curled a pacey effort past the post from outside the box as he tried to justify his selection in the central striker position.

Cazorla and his dancing feet tried a Maradona impression but ran out of steam, Mertesacker nearly got in on the act from a corner then the BFG spent a couple of minutes fiddling about as an unorthodox central midfielder. We were having fun and it was fun to watch.

Thankfully there was an end product to celebrate too. Chamberlain, Wilshere and Podolski all got involved as the German teed up Cazorla to tap home for his hattrick. It was a special goal – one we’d been trying to score for about five years. 4-0.

Despite being all over Reading we still managed to concede a typically sloppy goal. A poor ball by Gibbs in the direction of Wilshere was snapped up by the home side, fed to Adam Le Fondre who promptly rounded Szczesny to reduce the lead. 4-1. There was a slight worry when our number 10 lay in a crumpled heap having slipped, but thankfully he was alright.

The lead was then halved as we furiously fingered the self-destruct button. Another ball straight between our centre-backs was latched onto by Jimmy Kébé and he slid it past Szczesny with a minimum of fuss. 4-2. Game on? You bloody well hoped not.

Attack seemingly being the best form of defence we went on the front foot again. Federici denied Cazorla as our number 19 eyed his fourth before Wenger tried to calm things down by throwing on Ramsey for Chamberlain.

With 11 minutes remaining and with Reading building in confidence we thankfully grabbed a spirit-crushing fifth. A delightfully poised bit of work by Cazorla, the man-of-the-match by far, worked space for Walcott who razor-sharp switched onto his left foot and tucked home. He deserved his goal. 5-2.

The goal restored our dominance and we pulsed forward again and again. Podolski slashed wide at the near post before the removal of Cazorla and Walcott for Coquelin and Giroud saw the game peter out.

Despite the brief ten minute scare in the second period it was a thoroughly enjoyable performance by the Gunners, our best attacking showing in the Premier League since the 6-1 win over Southampton, and a fine riposte to the critics who rightly rounded on the side following the defeat to Bradford. Importantly the three points take us up to fifth, two points behind Sp*rs, as we get ready to tackle the Christmas schedule.