Premier League Preview – Reading v Arsenal
Premier League Preview – Reading v Arsenal
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Reading v Arsenal – Premier League Preview and Betting Tips
It is unusual for a manager that has transformed an entire club, overseeing the most successful period in their history, and having steered them to Champions League qualification for fifteen consecutive seasons to find himself under pressure. However, the trophyless seven years that Arsenal fans have endured, coupled with the alarming exit of many star players has brought a certain uncertainty to the Emirates Stadium of late. This uncertainty was brought to an unpalatable head when a virtually first-choice Arsenal team was eliminated from the League Cup in mid-week by League Two Bradford City. This was probably the most embarrassing defeat of Wenger’s reign, and supporters are now expecting to see some tangible signs of improvement in the league, and investment in the team come January.
The question is – Do they still feel this way?
However, while this can reasonably be described as a crisis period for Wenger, the fact remains that he will be judged primarily on his performance in the League and Champions League. These are now, not merely the primary focus for the top clubs, but in fact the only competitions that they are really interested in, as much for financial necessity as the prestige of the actual events themselves. With Arsenal having stabilised the club financially, and maintained competitiveness and Champions League qualification throughout a period in which Arsenal underwent an expensive move to the Emirates stadium, the Gunners hierarchy believes that the North London club will have much more financial muscle in the years to come. Particularly if the much touted Financial Fair Play regulations turn out to have any clout at all (don’t hold your breath on that one…).
Thus, a few good league wins, and Arsenal’s current reasonable league placing will soon turn into a position from which they can really challenge for the top four places in the division that would guarantee Champions League football. Under the circumstances, a trip to the Madejski Stadium to face a Reading side that suffered their own League Cup embarassment, when they were subjected to the demoralising experience of leading Arsenal by four goals to nil in a tie earlier this year, before eventually succumbing by seven goals to five.
(Read our editorial on what the future holds for Arsene Wenger - here)
Theo Walcott was the major thorn in Reading’s side that day, and the young England forward has been a major focus of attention over recent weeks as much for his off the field contract dispute as his good form for the club. As it stands, his Arsenal future remains uncertain, with several newspaper speculating that he will leave the Emirates during the January transfer window. Regardless of this, Arsenal will hope to have Walcott back in their starting line-up for this match, especially as the performances of Podolski and Gervinho in the mid-week defeat at Bradford left a great deal to be desired.
Elsewhere, much of the side that suffered that defeat is likely to be retained. Bacary Sagna should be fit enough to return at right-back in place of Carl Jenkinson, and it is likely that Wilshere, Arteta and Cazorla will all play in midfield, although Rosicky could feature. Arsenal will hope to partner Giroud, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain in attack.
Bacary Sagna of Arsenal. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Reading are unlikely to make two many changes to the team that started their last game, despite going down 3-0 at Sunderland. Having opened the scoring in the League Cup tie between the two sides, Brian McDermott might recall Jason Roberts to partner Adam le Fondre.
Reading (possible 4-4-2): Federici; Cummings, Mariappa, Gorkss, Shorey; McAnuff, Leigertwood, Tabb, McCleary; Roberts, Le Fondre
Arsenal (possible 4-2-1-3): Szczęsny; Sagna, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Arteta, Wilshere; Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Giroud
Betting Prediction: Back both teams to score in this one, as Reading have scored quite prolifically at the Madejski Stadium, as well as leaking goals alarmingly.
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