MATCH REPORT: 2006/2007 Season
22 October 2006: FA PREMIER LEAGUE
READING 0 ARSENAL 4
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goals
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Reading: -
Arsenal: Henry (1 mins, 70 mins, pen), Hleb (39 mins), Van Persie (50 mins) |
Half Time: 0-2 Attendance: 24,004
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teams
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Reading:
Hahnemann, De la Cruz (Gunnarsson 46), Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Oster 77), Sidwell, Harper, Hunt, Long (Little 73), Doyle.
Subs Not Used: Stack, Lita.
Arsenal: Lehmann, Hoyte, Toure, Djourou, Gallas, Rosicky (Song Billong 77), Fabregas, Silva, Hleb (Adebayor 73), Van Persie (Walcott 73), Henry. Subs Not Used: Almunia, Clichy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
bookings
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Reading: -
Arsenal: - Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire). |
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report
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Reading were given a footballing lesson by a stunning Arsenal side this afternoon. There could be no complaints about the final score - although Reading worked hard in their attempts to pull back a consolation goal, and perhaps deserved that for their efforts. Arsenal were in a different league to Reading with a team packed full of world-class individuals working as a solid team unit. It was the kind of performance that Reading will aspire too. Arsenal were also an entirely different prospect than Manchester United and Chelsea, who we had competed on even terms with. They were a much better side than their fellow title contenders and their fast free-flowing football was amazing to watch, making them by far the best side to visit the Madejski Stadium this season. Reading certainly competed, and didn't just sit back and accept defeat, but Arsenal could almost score at will as they cut through Reading's defence time and time again. It was the first time Reading had lost by more than a single goal for years - and the first time the visitors had scored in the North Stand goal for nearly as long. But if it had to happen then this was the game.
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FANS' POST MATCH OPINION
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Having lived for years in solid Arsenal territory, marginally closer to Highbury and the Emirates than slightly-less-delightful Barnet, there has always been the temptation to watch them more often. For some reason (and not so long ago I was seriously wondering why) I have always stuck with my home-town team. Today, though, I think we saw more than a few glimpses of what makes "the Arsenal" excite. They were clearly a gulf apart in terms of footballing ability and style, and aside from Lehmann's bout of finger-wagging always the consummate professionals. Put them against a Reading team who really failed to find their spark and there was only ever going to be one result.
That's not to take anything away from Reading, as chances were created (which might have found the net on any other day) and there was some neat football being played, at least on the few occasions that Arsenal allowed us the ball. I don't think we can deny we need to tighten up, and in particular to stop giving possession away so easily; but there are a lot of positives to take from this game. One heavy defeat, against a world-class side who could pretty-much score four against anybody should they so choose, should be seen as a learning experience rather than a dis-heartening walloping. Looking forward to geting back to winning ways against Pompey next weekend...
Without doubt the best exhibition of how to play the beautiful game of football ever seen at the Madejski.
Going down after one minute was the worst imaginable start and there after we were simply chasing shadows as Arsenal passed the ball
about with breathtaking simplicity and exposed Reading's skill factor at this level. We never gave up and I was proud the way the team
kept going but I think most of us were pleased to hear the final whistle. No way should this result overshadow the brilliant start
we've had in the Premiership and I'm hoping we can pick something up at Pompey on Saturday. To me the game did exposed our frailty
with our squad which is woefully thin, particularly up front. With the "big three" home games now behind us and a point for all our
efforts, time to look ahead again and build on the great work so far. Funny thing about Arsenal yesterday was how easy and simple
they made it look, every Reading player should go home and watch that game again , not to rub salt in but to simply learn how
football can be played. Back to the battlefield on Saturday!
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