Did We Get Our Arsenal Back Last Night?
Last night history will show Arsenal beat Reading at the Madejski Stadium 5 – 2
Another three points banked in the quest to rise up the EPL
The Arsenal now sitting in 5th place
Above Everton and West Brom on goal difference
2 points behind Spurs and Chelsea tied 3rd
These facts are of course all relevant
I have after all been relentlessly posting that results are what count these days
The mantra
Lets get to January 13 transfer window
With as much as possible to play for next calendar year in season 12/13
New recruits at this time and we could still logic suggests
Get something out of this disturbing season
Even with the recent Swansea City and Bradford City debacles
We really were though secretly all urging for
“our Arsenal back”
Well back to the Madejski
On seeing the shape and personnel Arsene had chosen for the job
I sat down pleasantly encouraged
If I had any doubts as to how Podolski, Theo and Ox would link together
I need not have vexed myself
The front line last night
Was as energetic, speedy, incisive, coordinated and driven
As it has been in a long, long time
These three prompted by the impressive Santi, Jack and Mikel
The team back to front
Were just too much for the home side to compete against
The first half was a joy to watch
Arsenal sound at the back
Controlling the middle of the park
Dangerous down both flanks
And creative all over the final third
Podolski had the gunners 1 nil up after 18 minutes
Pouncing on a Gibbs cross
Two goals from Santi on the half hour mark
The first with his head following a cross by Podolski
The second a shot on the turn after good work by Podolski and Gibbs
A well established lead was in place
Deserved given Arsenal’s ascendancy all over the park
For the remainder of the first half
And into the second half the team continued to press
Theo and Ox both having fizzing shots on goal
A 4th goal was sure to come
Or was it?
How Mariappa managed to keep Theo out was incredible
Goal line save of the season?
The superb visiting support were not to be disappointed though
1hr into the game and it was 4 nil
And a Santi hat trick
Oh how the little man smiled
And oh how the rest of us smiled with him
The goal itself a moment of simple beauty
Playing football the Arsenal way
Great interchange of passing through midfield
Gibbs drove down the left
The cut back perfect
Santi subtly drives the ball home from close range
Reading manager Brian McDermott must have been worried
That worry would recede
And possibly even turn into hope as Arsenal then duly switched off
Conceded two goals
Scored by Le Fondre (courtesy of a misplaced pass by Gibbs) and Kebe
With 10 minutes remaining though Theo restored a healthy advantage
Again another superb goal
Great play by Santi (man of the match)
Theo takes the ball in his stride
Cuts inside in a manner Ian Wright would have been impressed by
And drills a low shot past helpless keeper Federici
Late on substitute Oliver Giroud came close a couple of times
Game ended though 5 – 2
12 goals in two games at the Madejski this season
A happy hunting ground indeed!
Questions will now be asked of Arsene
1. Can Arsenal build on this performance?
– we have been at this movie before
– Reading are not the best; sitting bottom of the premier league tells a story
2. Theo transfer? Theo through the middle?
3. What of Giroud?
4. How do we keep Jack, Mikel and Santi fit
– and what about Diaby when he returns to fitness
And oh of course
Who will we buy in this much awaited transfer window
And how will they fit in to what we seen last night
One thing for sure
I am much happier this week than I was last week
It was ever thus when one supports the Arsenal
FOOTBALL IS BLOODY MAD I CAN TELL YOU 