Arsenal 2 - 1 Reading
1 - 0 Gilberto (pen) (49)
2 - 0 Baptista (61)
2 - 1 Fabregas (o.g.) (87)
After a week that in some quarters was described as ‘traumatic‘, Arsenal put their mini-blip to bed and secured three important points in the race for third place, a race which has taken a turn to Arsenal’s advantage this weekend but a race that cannot be taken for granted given the twists and turns that still remain to be taken. A simple equation to win that particular sprint is that Arsenal need to win their two games in hand on Liverpool to have a five point advantage with a visit to Anfield and Chelsea to visit The Emirates, Liverpool have by comparison a more straightforward run-in, their trickiest game by comparison is a visit to Fratton Park. One thing is certain though that this season, Arsenal have reserved their best for the important games.
As is the norm at The Emirates, a late goal occurred to change the complexion of the game. Except this time it was not for the home side but Reading who set up a frantic final five minutes. Cesc Fabregas’ deft flick gave the visitors hope and but for a Lehmann save from Sidwell, they would have returned home with an ill-deserved point. Did I say ‘deft flick‘? More lazy and limp than any artistry involved, responding to the movement of his Forward than anything else. And that summed up Arsenal’s defensive problems in the last quarter of the game; too often the midfield made loose passes - Hleb at fault for the corner from which Reading scored - creating pressure that the team did not need.
That though overshadows the rest of the game; Reading came not to defend deep and hope to nick a goal. Setting out with two forwards precludes that option and Steve Coppell deserves credit - acknowledged by Arsene afterwards - for at least having ‘go’ at winning. It was a typical home performance this season; plenty of possession, chances abounding and lacklustre finishing. At the end of the day though, who cares? Three defeats in four meant that a win was the most important objective, to relieve that pressure from Wednesday night. Arsene threw a team selection from left field in defence, opting to start with Gilberto in the heart of the defence rather than Senderos who was relegated to the bench. In the Brazilians place in the centre of the field was Denilson who once again did not disappoint. It was heartening as well to see Diaby enter the fray later in the game, duly recovered from his ankle-knack in last Sunday’s Carling Cup Final; another of Arsene’s famous underestimations of the powers of recovery of his charges. Up front, Theo Walcott was given the start in his favoured position and showed the potential as a Premiership striker that made Arsene sign him in the first place, alongside Julio ‘JCB’ Baptista, who for me had his best game in The Emirates.
That the match was goalless for so long is in no small part due to Marcus Hahneman in the Reading goal. In keeping with what is becoming an unwelcome tradition at The Emirates, the visitors keeper had a blinder although in some circumstances it was poor control that helped him on his way. Oh, and the Arsenal attempt to have the worst miss of the season sewn up by Easter, Fabregas air-shot the latest attempt but not quite as bad as Rosicky’s against CSKA. Hahneman saved well from Walcott, Ljungberg and an excellent save from Fabregas’ rasper. What encouraged me more than anything though was that the speed and accuracy of passing was not lost through the run of defeats instilling a lack of confidence; far from it, the team continued to play in the manner to which we have become accustomed.
The goals themselves came at the right time, if there is ever a wrong time to score. Having gone through a goalless fifty minutes, doubts started to creep in to some minds about whether this was to be a continuation of the goal-shyness of recent times. Clichy started the move that led to the penalty award, running seventy yards into the Reading area before being clumsily being sent crashing by Bikey. With Gilberto as the taker, there was never any guarantee of a goal but the penalty was despatched with consumate professionalism. This highlights one of the attributes that I like with him as Captain, he is there willing to stand up and be counted despite taking one of the worst penalties in living memory at Bolton. This one was a lesson in the art, low powerful and into the corner; not many ‘keepers can stop those although Hahneman had a good try. The second owed more to Baptista’s physique than any Brazilian ball control, Murty allowing him to muscle through before toe-poking into the net, a welcome goal but I notice not enough to stop people having a ‘pop’ at him; to assume he is an out-and-out striker is wrong, even his major season at Sevilla was as a second striker. Unlike Bergkamp and Pires he is not blessed with magnificent close control but some of that is due to not playing every week. A welcome goal that one hopes will be the start of a scoring run.
The Sunday’s contain the usual tittle-tattle; Fabregas is still off to Spain apparently whilst Adebayor is adamant that he is being courted by Chelsea and Manchester United. Curiously enough, the quotes attributed to him also mention that he expects Arsenal to reward him for his ‘new status in the team‘. Methinks his Mr 15% may need to keep his mouth firmly shut if he thinks that the Club will bow down to such attempted blackmail, no matter how feeble it may be. Oh, and apparentaly Arsene can’t get enough of crocked centre-halves, Jonathon Woodgate being monitored closely by Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Blyth Spartans.
Finally, hats off to John Rawlings on Radio 5Live’s ‘Fighting Talk’ programme yesterday morning; in response to the question, ‘who behaved the most disgracefully in last weekend’s Caring Cup Final‘, his response of ‘The Commentators‘ says it all.
Posted in Arsenal, Football, Premiership, Soccer, Transfer Gossip
