Gunners Cruise to Victory

Yesterday Arsenal kept up their hopes of a top 4 finish, with a 4-1 demolition over relegation threatened Reading at the Emirates.
The first half was very much a one sided first half, in which it was inspired by Santi Carzola, even though Gervinho first half strike was the only thing they could show for it. Arsenal had over 70% possession in the first half, Arsenal did have many more chances in the first half in which they could have increased their advantage but they never looked being in trouble either ways. The hosts will have thought they deserved a penalty, when Reading goalkeeper, Stuart Taylor looked to have brought down Olivier Giroud on the edge of the penalty area, however it didn’t convince referee, as he waved off the appeals.
The gunners had upped the tempo in the second half, as Gervinho and Santi Carzola, both combining very well, in which almost resulted in a second goal immediately after the interval. A sweeping move saw Carzola feed Gervinho on the right and he cut inside before teeing up the Spaniard to bend a superb effort past Taylor from just outside the area. Arsenal had pushed on further to get their third goal, from a quick fire counter attack, in which the chief tormenter Gervinho teed up Giroud to shoot low and hard into the bottom corner. Reading got a goal back almost immediately after gunners had scored with Hal Hobson Kanu heading in a consolation goal, from a Jobi McMannuff cross; sadly for them the damage for them was already done. Oxlade-Chamberlain came on for Gervinho with 15 minutes remaining and made an immediate impact, running at Adrian Mariappa and drawing a trip from the defender just inside the box. Arteta wrong-footed Taylor from the penalty spot to cap a good day for Arsenal and another miserable afternoon for Reading.
This had proven to be a great afternoon for the gunners, as they look to close in on their London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea, in their pursuit of top 4. All looking very exciting now eh?

Bethel Moyo (@BethelMoyo)