Special guests watch and wince

Steve Coppell described Reading’s 4-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal as “No disgrace.” The sentiment in itself was totally fair, because Arsenal were so far ahead of Reading that the game was dangerously close to becoming very embarrassing. The intrinsic ability shown by the Gunners was something to droll over for the purists and indeed for the players themselves. The PA box was naturally crowded for this one, but two special guests who appeared were surprise additions to the crowd. Dave Kitson and Graeme Murty were shown into the box as guests and their company was both surprising and interesting. As, arguably, the most technically gifted side in Britain and possibly Europe, cast an unbreakable spell over the Reading side, team-mates Murty and Kitson displayed a mixture of admiration, relief and genuine sympathy for their colleagues as they watched the slaughter unfold.

Reading’s attempts at keeping a clean sheet did not even see out the first minute as Thierry Henry scored after just 59 seconds. The collective heart of the PA box sank as the goal went in with unerring ease. The thoughts on the minds of footballers and PA staff alike were geared around the question of damage limitation. With all the adverse publicity of the last week, perhaps that was inevitable. A tired, strained Reading side did not enjoy the opening exchanges of this match. Instead they looked harried and jaded. If they wanted sympathy from their opponents, and I doubt for one moment that they did, they would be out of luck. Arsenal who for so long were, twinned with the words lucky and boring, have shaken off that tag. Clinical and precise they have become. With Arsene Wenger instructing his charges and the genial Thierry Henry directing operations on the pitch, the term football lesson was never going to be far from the lips of today’s inhabitants of the PA box. The enthralling passing and movements were duly noted, but just like the supporters the hearts of our footballing guests sank deeper and deeper as the goals flew in. Alexander Hleb’s goal 6 minutes before half time contained a wonderful build up that had the duo next to me watching in near wonderment. As half time approached, the relief that the onslaught was on pause was also tangible.

Arsenal added a third goal shortly after the break courtesy of Robin Van Persie. When the fourth goal arrived from a cast iron penalty, the game was already beyond debate. Reading’s best chance of the game came when Steven Hunt was left free in the box, but could only shoot over. The collective call from the PA box in the dying minutes was to blow the whistle and quick. The other point of order that seemed to be unanimous was that Arsenal is the best side, Reading has faced so far this season. In fact one of our guests claimed that Arsenal were the best by a country mile.

With that assertion in mind and having now faced the other two teams in the so-called big three, perhaps Reading should not be too hard on themselves after this heavy defeat. Yes disappointment is the overriding emotion I hold as I write this. However, the reality check nature of this defeat cannot be wasted. Arsenal, with all their silky skills and perfectionist football was, always going to be the hardest side to play. Chelsea presented a more robust basic style and thus came away with a scraped 1-0 victory. Manchester United’s football falls somewhere between the two styles of play. Reading gained a draw against Manchester United and maybe should have gained more from that match. All feet will be back on the ground following Arsenal’s 4-0 win, but at least the week ahead for Reading will not be as turbulent and pressured as the one they have just closed. It must also be remembered that one defeat, especially one against such a brilliant side, cannot and will not decide the outcome of this historic season.

By Stuart Croucher