Arsenal 2 – 0 Reading

1 – 0 Adebayor ( 30 )
2 – 0 Gilberto ( 38 )

Reading arrived at The Emirates yesterday never having beaten Arsenal in a competitive match. They produced such a flaccid display that it was a run that was never likely to end. Giving Arsenal time and space to play, they were duly punished; the result was flattering to them and but for the untimely intervention of the woodwork and some last ditch defending could, and perhaps should, have been treble the final outcome.

Early warning signs were ignored by the visitors as the Arsenal defence and midfield worked the spaces before the match settled into a tempo that would not have been out of place at London Colney. Alexander Hleb split the Reading defence with a pass that set Cesc free but he was pressured into overrunning the ball. Respite was given as Reading huffed and puffed but when they got into a position to blow the Arsenal house down, there was nobody in a threatening position to do so. To come to The Emirates and put five across the defence, four in midfield to stifle is de rigueur for struggling teams but in all honesty, I think only Derby County have produced such little attacking inspiration.

That it took half an hour for the deadlock to be broken was the only surprise. Toure and Walcott worked a peace on the right with the Ivorian chipping a delightful pass through to Adebayor to slot home calmly. It atoned for an earlier header from a van Persie corner that was as profligate as the marking was woeful. Gilberto was found after Cesc had done the hard work to set him up, the ball deflecting off a defender’s head into the net. Two goals to the good and job done.

The margin of victory could have been more emphatic had the footballing gods been smiling on Robin van Persie. Having taken two efforts to get his sights in, starting high and wide and gradually get closer, he wasted a glorious chance after Walcott had freed him with a great pull back from near the bye-line, Hahnemann saving his low shot when the Dutchman should have done better. Football is so easy from the stands.

If that was the warning, the American ‘keeper was helpless as a freekick struck the bar and post and bounced to safety in the second half. It summed up van Persie’s season; one of great promise that never materialised through untimely interventions out of his control. Walcott struck the bar soon after with Duberry later clearing off the line to ensure that damage limitation was not a fruitless exercise. The clouds parted as the football gods revealed themselves to be Nelson Munt. Ha-ha indeed.

Post match, Cesc’s comments seem to be welcomed by all and sundry although depending upon which site or paper you read, they are a commitment or a threat,

We are all disappointed for the season, how it finished. I think we did well all season but, at the end, it was disappointing. We don’t want to always say, “Next year, next year”. I think it is a mistake. We want to do it now

It is hard to say anyone had a bad performance such was the paucity of the opposition. The defence went about their duties unhindered. Lehmann had two saves to make all match and did so in a typically dismissive manner. Alex Song had an infinitely less pressured afternoon and distributed the ball well with either foot and if William Gallas was going to have a poor afternoon with his captaincy supposedly under scrutiny, it did not show.

Fabregas dictated play well and Walcott posed a threat down the right. Gilberto mopped up and played well to the extent that he would have been a serious contender for any Man of the Match awards handed out. van Persie and Adebayor were tireless and worked the defence with their run. Whilst the Togolese got his reward, van Persie did not. Perhaps at Pride Park, Robin?

This really on leaves Alex Hleb to talk about. Bisecting the defence with passes or making himself available with time and space for colleagues, we all know about. Perhaps he has taken Arsene’s instructions to be tougher on opponents a tad too far but there seems little doubt that he will get a three match ban for slapping Murty across the face. Off the ball and away from the gaze of the officials it might have been – and if you are going to resort to that behaviour, then he got everything right. Except for the hundred or so TV and other cameras in the stadium that caught it in its full glory. With Abou Diaby and Denilson available, there is at least some competition for his place for the rest of the season.

Three good points and a performance that got its merited reward. Whilst third place is not cemented, it relieves the pressure from looking over their shoulders at Liverpool and might just make for a nervy weekend for Chelsea if they fall short against Manchester United.

‘til Tomorrow.