Arsenal 2 Reading 1
There was a stat in the press yesterday that Fabregas shares the current assist record, but has had the most shots off target in the Premiership.
So put through with an open goal, you could understand why he missed it. It would be easy to be cruel about his own goal at the death which put the cat among the pigeons.
Great afternoon for football – the sun casting strange shadow patterns over the pitch – triangular structures on one side reflecting Arsenal’s possession football, prison type bars (Reading Gaol?) on the other, and a herringbone pattern down the middle late on. An exit sign for one or two who aren’t making the grade, perhaps?
It was hard to know what to expect from this mix and match side, following three defeats. Aliadiere and Senderos dropped to the bench. Gilberto partnered Gallas in the centre, with Djourou on the right. Denilson and Fabregas shared the middle, with Ljungberg and Hleb the sides, with Walcott and Baptista up front.
Reading, like a breath of fresh air started with two up front, in a 4-4-2. It is about a year ago that Arsenal played Reading in one of the cups. It shows that a year is a long time in football.
The Madjeski stadium is light years away from Elm Park. And it reflects the silicon wealth of a transformed town. Reading used to be a depressing place with the highest suicide rate in the UK, fog bound in winter and famously known for Oscar Wilde’s, the Ballad of Reading Gaol.
Their play reflects their manager. You cannot help respect his honesty.
Arsenal started brightly gaining the upper hand in terms of possession. Maybe Reading were intimidated by the memories of the 0-4 thrashing earlier and played within themselves.
Hleb set up Fabregas with a ball to run on to in the second minute. But Hahnemann covered.
Hleb then set up Baptista – but the Brazilian’s shot was wide.
Baptista broke through in the area but unselfishly set up Fabregas – who momentarily took his eye off the ball and mis-kicked a sitter. The ball bounced and came a bit too fast.
On the stroke of half-time – a move involving the length of the pitch saw Hleb slide in Ljungberg through the middle, but he shot straight at Hahnemann.
You couldn’t fault Arsenal for effort – but quality was lacking in certain positions. Reading, bar a few crosses and corners hardly mounted any attacks of note.
Arsenal started the second brightly. Fabregas had a long range shot on target, with Hahnemann saving.
Ljungberg, turning sharply, sent a ball into the area, and Clichy‘s pace ensure he reached it before Bikey, who clipped the left back’s heel as he bore down on Hahnemann.
Who would take the penalty? Captain Gilberto stepped forward and slotted low and hard under the American. The hugging huddle on the touchline showed how important this first goal was.
Denilson who had an excellent game gathered the ball in midfield for the umpteenth time and sent a throughball to his compatriot Baptista on the 18 yard line. With Murty to beat, he walked through him as if he wasn’t there and poked it nearside of Hahnemann, for a surprising score. Murty was scared of Baptista’s reputation.
Hahnemann, post match said of Baptista: “He’s a monster, so physically strong.”
Walcott was set up one on one with Hahnemann with a delightful Fabregas chip, but he dallied and it was cleared.
Diaby and Aliadiere came on for Walcott and Ljungberg. Diaby made a big impression. One move he emerged beating three players and setting up an attack.
Another he controlled the ball with his knee knocking it forward, and cutting out three Reading players.
But Arsenal slackened off. Lehmann pushed Gallas in the chest after he allowed Sidwell a header from a corner. Gallas was marking two and he chose Kitson.
Sidwell could well have scored from a dropping ball in the area soon after.
And then Hleb gave a sloppy ball away which lead to another corner. The German shouted at the wide man, who told him to shut-up. Wenger substituted him for Senderos.
Was it a wise move, particularly for a corner and given the last two performances? There was a sense of foreboding, for sure.
For his first touch, the Swiss headed towards his own goal, and Fabregas found a flamboyant scoring touch by reactinig too late and side-footing instictively into the net.
Panic set in as Reading sensed a point. A bout of head-tennis saw Sidwell drive near-post with Lehmann saving two points. He then dived to his left to keep out a goal-bound shot.
This match could turn out to be a watershed. Arsenal are well placed for third place with two games in hand on Liverpool with one point behind. The rot’s been stopped – and if the PSV result goes the right way – there’s a new plateau.
The match though effectively was a spotlight on the players. With a mostly first team eleven, Arsenal can get away with one or two individual(s) lacking quality or with below par performances. The extra pace, and touches of skill which bring goals and mask a host of ills.
But here, the poor first touches and lack of control, shown by too many players, was there for all to see. At times there was little movement up front to complement the intricate midfield play. It is no good having a fast pass and move side, if three or four players can’t control the ball properly.
Watching Baptisa is like watching someone playing the game at 20 frames a second, while everyone around is playing at 24. OK, he brings something different – a latent physicality, but his first touch HAS TO IMPROVE, otherwise he’s like a fish out of water playing in the fast pass and move side.
Walcott had a better game by his standards, but his decision making has to improve. He had many opportunities, but only took a few. He doesn’t beat many players and loses it too much.
Freddie had a good game by his standards. Following his hip operation ( which people forget), he can’t beat his man these days – but he puts a lot of energy into his game – and could be an important impact player.
Aliadiere still doesn’t do enough and lost the ball once or twice.
And Senderos needs some time off. This week must have wounded him.
Arsenal: Lehmann, Clichy, Djourou, Gallas, Denilson, Fabregas Gilberto, Ljungberg (Diaby 70), Hleb (Senderos 86), Walcott (Aliadiere 71), Baptista Subs not used: Almunia, Traore
Reading: Hahnemann, Shorey, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Hunt (Oster 65), Harper (Gunnarsson 71), Murty, Little (Doyle 80), Sidwell, Lita, Kitson Subs not used: Federici, Duberry
Referee: Chris Foy