Arsenal vs. Reading

4-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 2013-03-30
Gervinho 11,
Cazorla 48,
Giroud 67,
Arteta 77

This was quite simply one of those games that you'd expect us to win, and win it we did. We looked comfortable in the lead from the moment we scored that first goal and there was no way that we were going to lose this game.

Four minutes into the first half Giroud had a header that was saved by the 'keeper, but approximately ten minutes into the game we had our lead. Cazorla provided something of a mix between a shot and a pass that was met by Gervinho, who put the ball into the back of the net with ease from close-range. Some minutes later Cazorla had a shot blocked and Sagna provided a cross that was met by Giroud, unfortunately the header went wide. We should have gotten a penalty as Giroud was harshly brought down by the 'keeper after having gotten the ball past him, but a defender cleared the ball before it reached the goal and no penalty was awarded. The final chances of the half came through a shot from Ramsey that was blocked and a Cazorla shot that went wide.

We seemed to have picked up some determination in the half-time, as the efficiency was greatly improved in the second half. Three minutes into it Santi Cazorla fired a sizzling shot at the edge of the box that went past the 'keeper to find its way into the goal! Then it did not take long before Olivier Giroud added a third goal. A counter-attack was converted into a goal as Gervinho passed the ball to the French striker, who managed to produce a fine shot that found the back of the net! It was slightly disappointing for us to concede just a minute after that third goal, due to a lapse of focus from our side. Reading had a cross into our box that was met by a header, which went past Fabianski in the goal. We did get the last say, though, as Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down in the box and the (long overdue) penalty was fired past the 'keeper by Mikel Arteta!

As mentioned above, this was just one of those games that you are expected to win, but that does not mean that the satisfaction of actually winning those are lessened. We know from experience that Arsenal has struggled with these games occasionally in the past, so it was nice to see such a comfortable victory as this one.

I just have one last thing to mention before wrapping up this post, at the end of April I will be travelling to London for the Manchester United game! I've already got a ticket (thanks, membership card!), which I never though that I would be able to get (thanks, ticket exchange!). Needless to say I am super-excited for it!!

Injury Update:
- Walcott will be out for about a week with a groin problem.
- Wilshere is approximately two weeks away from returning to action.
- Diaby has picked up a new injury which will keep him out of action for 8-9 months, devastating news for the midfielder.
- Gibbs had to start this game on the bench due to a virus that he picked up earlier in the week.