Reading regains spirit

Reading’s trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal may have yielded no points, but the nature of the defeat was not in the same bracket as last week’s home defeat against Fulham. Arsenal grabbed the victory thanks to goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Gilberto Silva. The Gunners also struck the woodwork on two occasions and Michael Duberry cleared a goal bound shot off the line that had been struck by Cesc Fabregas.

Despite Arsenal’s victory, Steve Coppell can take some positives from Reading’s performance. Coppell had made six changes to the side that lost at home to Fulham. The revamped Reading side started with poise and purpose. David Kitson and Andre Bikey were showing real desire as Kitson spearheaded a formation that was playing on the break. The early exchanges favoured Reading but they were unable to fully capitalise on their possession. Jimmy Kebe and Bobby Convey were finding space, but Arsenal was coping with Reading’s attempts to score.

The home side were being patient in the face of Reading’s positive approach. The patience of the Gunners was rewarded in the 30th minute. Kolo Toure’s cross-found Emmanuel Adebayor who calmly controlled the ball with one touch before placing it past Marcus Hahnemann. Arsenal doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Gilberto Silva struck a long-range shot that beat Marcus Hahnemann with a little help from the head of Reading’s Andre Bikey.

The two goals appeared to give Arsenal the points, but Reading did not give up. David Kitson was battling valiantly for Reading, but was unable to find the killer touch. As Reading tried to carve out openings, Arsenal once again appeared relaxed and content to bide their time. Indeed Marcus Hahnemann had the most to do in the second half. Twice the woodwork rescued the Reading goalkeeper as Robin Van Persie struck a free kick against the angle of the goal and then Theo Walcott hit a shot against the crossbar.

Reading’s best chance of the game arrived thirteen minutes from the end when Bobby Convey got through the Arsenal defence but was thwarted by Jens Lehmann who tipped his shot over the bar. Reading was unable to create any other significant chances, but Arsenal’s second goal had long since wrapped up the points.

In truth Reading’s failure to gain any points is not as disastrous as it may appear. Arsenal are still smarting from their season being decimated by the combined recent defeats at Anfield in the Champions League and Old Trafford in last weekend’s Premier League crunch game. Perhaps Reading was ripe for picking by a side that’s pride was badly wounded. However, Reading’s pride should also be smarting as the spectre of relegation refuses to go away. With three games to go Reading’s fate remains in their hands. This defeat shouldn’t dishearten Reading. They didn’t give up and must not do so in the remaining three games. With everything to play for, nobody knows what the final outcome will be.

By Stuart Croucher