Just a quick post today to talk a little bit about Arsenal’s 3-1 Premiership victory over Reading.
It looked like a very comfortable win for Arsene Wenger’s side with Mathieu Flamini, Emmanuel Adebayor and Alexander Hleb all getting on the scoresheet away from home. Every one of the three goals reeked of Arsenal class as first Flamini finished off a sublime move involving Adebayor and Hleb before Adebayor did the same after a nice interchange involving Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas. Then Hleb went one better with a great individual goal, speeding free of the Reading defence and rounding the goalkeeper with an outrageous piece of skill before firing home. You can see all the goals here.
Although Nicky Shorey scored a late consolation goal for Reading it was, by all accounts a relatively straightforward victory for Arsenal – something they probably needed after three physically tough draws with Liverpool, Manchester United and Slavia Prague. I didn’t catch the game (if you haven’t already gathered from my extreme lack of posts, my internet connection has been playing up) but the match report from Setanta Sports seemed to suggest that Reading threw ten men behind the ball in an attempt to stop Wenger’s side from playing. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t work and Arsenal came away with another win to put them back on the top of the table.
The side from the match was exactly same as the one that started against Manchester United. With Eduardo da Silva not even making the squad it really seems that a 4-5-1 with Hleb playing behind Adebayor will be the go until Robin van Persie returns from injury. Both Hleb and Adebayor justified their inclusion with goals and it was also nice to see Flamini score his first for the season as well. His celebration with Rosicky suggested it was a weight off his shoulder.
That’s about it, apart from the pre-game news that Wenger suggested he may be making a signing when the January transfer.
“It is not impossible. I don’t think I will get anybody in but if I get one opportunity in one area then I will not neglect it.”
Although he did not go into the particular area he was hinting at, you have to feel that with Jens Lehmann starting to talk more and more about a move away from the club that Wenger is hinting at a replacement for the German.
Just before I go I just want to let every know that things should be back to normal on the blog here soon (give it another 3-5 days). I wanted to have the second issue of The Gooner Gazette completed over a week ago but with the problems I’ve been having with my internet that just wasn’t possible. As a result, I’ve decided to do a double issue for October and November that I will make available in very early December.
In the meantime though, I hope everyone enjoyed the win over Reading and is enjoying being back on the top of the table.
What do you think?
Have your say on Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Reading by leaving a comment.
You have to give Reading some credit,for about the first 3 minutes they did try to play a game of football as THEY were the home side after-all,the thing is we all complain about teams putting 10 men behind the ball but really the way this Arsenal team is at the moment what else can other teams do.if you were a boxer for example and you know your opponent will batter you if you try stand toe-to-toe and fight him your gonna defend yourself for as long as you can,it`s human instint.
Feels good to know that, Arsenal is back at the top of the table.Gooo Gunners.
a good win, it wud have been nice not to concede a sloppy goal but you can’t really complain bout being on top!!!!
Good to be back to winning. I loved the goals, especially the opener and the one that was disallowed.
spectacular from Hleb,but i thought Diarra when he came on was absolutely fab,the way he controlled the game_not to the extent of Berto-but he controlled the game and he even attacked well linking with all the other players..i cant wait to see more of him in the prem
Hleb’s control on the ball is astonishing. While many people have run hot and cold (mostly cold!) on him during the previous 2 years, I’ve always liked him. I’m really glad to see him starting to shine. Three Cheers for Hleb and Cesc!
Ah it feels nice to hear from everyone again. They were all nice goals – typical Arsenal goals. I’ve never seen a player round the goalkeeper the way Hleb did though, it was quite interesting.
he sort of improvised that goal a bit SF.
no football untill the 24th – what are we going to do !!!
I know what I’ll be doing – fixing up the problems with my Internet to get set for my blogging for the rest of the season!
Awesome Hleb goal. Hleb is a master at controlling the ball when dribbling….just sometimes not great when shooting. Bit annoyed that Ade did not hit the target with his shot that rebounded off the post. He seemed a bit casual in his shot, though it would have been great if it went in. Great build up play leading to that shot, with a great tackle by Rosicky on the Reading midfielder.
That game was one of best so far this season. from the start Reading defended well (or rather extremely) but we were patient enough and always cracked them though we never got a clear break for the goal during the first quarter (except for the one Ade hit the post)..
Speaking of Ade, he was my man of the match. he was involved to a large extent in Flamini’s opener and the one he scored himself. He was dangerous throughout the game.. Good work Ade! keep up!!
What surprised me about Hleb’s goal was thefact that he was sooooo composed and confident as he dribbled past th keeper..this guy got lots of talent.
The defence was ever solid except for the last last few minutes when the mid field seemed to let go and allowed that one consolation goal. I think that Fabregas should have been more serious towards the end of the game though. He seemed to no longer care and depicted a lot of immaturity when he hang on to the opponents hand (i think it was Fae) and got a card.. i know how greatly he played in that game but we shouldn’t take anything for granted..or should we?
it was a good game….
bt i think the highlite of the weekend was how well djourou is playing for birmingham!!!
great ur back SF – good game, great skill from Hleb and guess what RVP is back for Wigan on the 24th!!!!!! But we lose Cesc. Bring in Gilberto or Diarra. Come on gunners!!
Dave Kitson Describes Arsenal As “phenomenal”
This is what he had to say:
“It is unbelievably difficult to play against Arsenal,” said Kitson. “They are without doubt the best footballing team on the planet right now. It’s absolutely phenomenal stuff. You just have to take your hat off to them.
”Trying to get near [Cesc] Fabregas, [Alexander] Hleb, [Tomas] Rosicky – it’s a tough ask. The thing that amazes you most is they are not just passing to each other – they are passing so that person can run on to the ball and then his mind is already made up what he is going to do next. It is just magic, it is unbelievable.
Enjoy the praises gooners.
Just in case you don’t know. Dave Kitson is a Reading player
Le Gunner – He’s also a Tottenham fan, so his praise counts for quite a bit!
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Just on Cesc’s card, a lot of people seem to think he incurred it on purpose to miss Wigan rather than Chelsea, so it’s quite a smart move. It will be interesting to see who replaces him in the middle.
Well I’d imagine if RVP is back, they’ll bring him on, and move Hleb behind him, keeping eboue, flamini, rosicky in the midfield.
I can’t see that happening to be honest, Darragh. I think another central midfielder has to come in for sure. Hleb is nowhere near as defensive as Fabregas and if he was forced to defend more he would lose his cutting edge, in my opinion. Denilson seems a good option, even Diarra or Diaby would work well. My preference would probably be Diaby.
i think Gilberto shud play, he is a great defensive mid n it will keep him happy 2 start a prem game and it is quite a smart move by Cesc if he was trying 2 miss Wigan instead of Chelsea.
You’re right, Gilberto will probably play. But if he does, we would want to have two strikers on the pitch because Flamini and Gilberto in the middle is very defensive. If van Persie is back in time then it is probably a good move but if not, will Wenger be game enough to play Eduardo?