Royals In Awe of Arsenal

The fortress Madejski`s felt the brunt of an intense attack as Arsene Wenger`s gunners became the first Premiership side to show up the Royals.

Arsenal started the game as they meant to go on scoring with only 58seconds played. Cesc Fabregas snuck inside the box and dodged James Harper`s challenge on the by-line to play a perfect pass to Thierry Henry, the machine he is in front of goal Henry switched to auto-pilot and placed the ball on Marcus Hahnemann left who didn`t even move to stop it. 1-0 to the Arsenal and a Madjeski Stadium record broken, before Henry no team had scored past Reading in the North Stand goal since.

A shocked Reading tried to go about their business, but just could not get it together under the pressure of a team of true world class pedigree.

Arsenal attacked the Reading goal relentlessly and kept the home team on a back foot for a huge part of the game. Ivar Ingimarsson stopped danger from the combined efforts of Henry and Fabregas, stifling the latters shot on goal. Meanwhile Ulisses De La Cruz was shown up in his right back position against the feet of Robin van Persie, De La Cruz was fortunate that van Persie choose to shoot wide rather then use the options his team-mates had given him.

Seol Ki-Hyeon fired a ferocious volley at Jens Lehmann`s goalmouth from a corner`s cross, but Germany`s number one was not to be beaten making an outstanding save to deny the South Korean winger.

Arsenal almost saw a goal scored by an Englishman when Tomas Rosicky put right back Justin Hoyte through on goal, but Hoyte blasted the ball wide.

Reading wasted the chance of an equaliser when the ever electric Steve Sidwell whipped in a cross into the Arsenal box, it became the what if moment as Nicky Shorey who was racing in to a great position at back post was beaten to the ball by Stephen Hunt who headed the ball wide.

But although Reading tried desperately to get at the Gunners goal, it was very much in vane as Arsenal kept up the pressure in front of goal. Fabregas pounded ther ball at Hahnemann`s goal and although the Reading keeper saved the ball, there was a frantic moment as he spilled it only to jump upon it soon after.

Arsenal found their second soon after, with ‘Little Mozart` Rosicky and Alexander Hleb linking up. Hleb came in from the right and played a tidy little one two with Rosicky before striking a belter goal bound that Hahnemann was helpless to save.

After the break, the unsuccessful De La Cruz was replaced with utility man Brynar Gunnarssson on the right of defence, the choice of the player suggested that Reading were not ready to give up on the game but they were sunk four minutes from the second half whistle when van Persie netted the third.

Hleb was on the end of Henry`s defence cutting through ball, and cut the ball back to van Persie to slip in the back of the net.

In true Royals fashion, the home side never looked disheartened even though it was clear the ship had sunk, and small sections of the Royals faithful continued to sing “We`re gonna win 4-3!”.

Reading were unlucky not to take a consolation and take Arsenal`s clean sheet, Kolo Toure had blocked a Kevin Doyle shot and Stephen Hunt ballooned his chance over.

With 20minutes left, Hahnemann brought down Fabregas in the box after the two went one on one. It was a stupid challenge that could have cost the keeper the rest of his game but the referee offered the penalty and nothing more, not that Arsenal seemed to mind.

Captain and prolific goalscorer Henry stepped up and cool as a cucumber converted the spot kick.

Reading enjoyed longer spells of possession in the final quarter, but could not quite find target or net, a relaxed Arsenal managing to keep them at bay. Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor and Alexandre Song made cameo appearances in the but the scoreline was set to stay the same.

At the final whistle, many Reading fans had already left but those who stayed clapped for their brave Royals despite their defeat and at the majesty and marvel that the Gunners had bought to the Madejski Stadium.

Player Ratings

Hahnemann
De la Cruz
Sonko
Ingimarsson
Shorey
Ki-Hyeon
Sidwell
Harper
Hunt
Long
Doyle
Gunnarsson
Replaced the ineffective De La Cruz on the right of defence at half time

Little
With just more then 15minutes left Glenn Little helped Reading enjoy some longer spells on possesion towards the end of the game
The Welsh winger made a rare appearance and was part of Reading’s better football in the final quarter.

Steve Coppell
‘Right from the first attack when Arsenal scored, that put us in a difficult position.
‘With the quality they have, on the field and on the bench, we were always going to be chasing the game.

Arsene Wenger
We had a good start, played well and our movement and our technique made the difference.
‘We dominated the game. In the last 20 minutes our concentration dropped but overall I am very happy.