Arsenal v Readingl; Premier League Match Preview

Ah Reading. You remember them. For 35 or so minutes they looked to be the biggest embarrassment to this squad (before the Bradford debacle) but alas, Arsenal saved themselves some blushes and came back from 4-0 to win 7-5 to advance in the Capital One Cup (you remember – the one we were embarrassed at last Tuesday).

But to quote the immortal Pumba from Disney’s the Lion King – “You’ve got to put your behind past you.” Er, well, you get the sentiment.

And that is exactly what Arsenal have to do. Arsenal again take a trip up to the Madjeski stadium this time with a near healthy squad (don’t be cynical and mention Bradford).  They are looking to put forth some effort to and try and move back to within a sniff of the hallowed ground of Champion’s League Qualification.

It’s funny to think that the possibility of closing down on the top 4 is even a reality, especially given how poor this team have been. But the fact is, it’s not just Arsenal who are poor. It is the league in its entirety.  I watched a slew of Premier League games this week and I saw missed chances and poor defending that make Arsenal just look like one of the crowd.

Arsenal’s biggest problem isn’t that they can’t defend (no one in this league can). Arsenal’s biggest problem is that they can’t score with any consistency. That and a lack of creativity when teams apply a full on press and take away certain aspects of the game.  The fact is for as bad as Arsenal are, they could be in the midst of it all again with just a run of good games.

That’s what to me is at stake at this moment. Forget all the who’s coming in or going out. Forget whether or not Wenger should stay or go or who is providing direction to who. Oddly enough poor form like this would certainly mean that hope is fleeting. But given the sorry state of the Premier League right – all it will take is a good run of form to get right back in the thick of it.

The difference between the top two and the next 4 or 5 is conversion of chances and consistency. United and City both boast awful defences and like Arsenal you feel that they will give up goals. What they have that Arsenal (and others don’t) is an attack force that is consistently converting its chances.

Arsenal do that. Find consistency. Find the form prior to the Chelsea match and they can make a move. No, I am not saying Arsenal are going to win the title. There are enough issues with this club that make a realist on that front. But being competitive and making a sustained run, that’s not far fetched. The talent is there. We’ve seen it all on display. The team that looked so good early on is exactly the same that was there (save for Diaby) at Bradford.

I’ve never seen a group so devoid of any confidence (yes that is part of the problem). The minute the opposition score it takes their wind out of the team collectively. It really is a gut shot that Arsenal don’t seem to be able to recover from.  The drop their heads.  They clam up and go into a shell. I don’t see an urgency to recover. Now, there are issues related to that – let’s say leadership. Someone needs to man up and take this team with them. I think that man is Jack Wilshere.

Jack is all set to tie his future to Arsenal for another 5 years (a good thing given our past). At one point in the Bradford match he was the only one that struck me as trying to get play more direct. He attacked and attacked. The problem was no one went along with him. They need to.

The team needs to rally around a person. As much as I like Thomas Vermaelen he is not doing it for me. He doesn’t offer that rallying point. He is not the focal point that Robin or Cesc was or that Jack is trying to be.  The team needs to realize when Jack is trying to get them on his back and go with it.  Is that all it will take? Of course not. But right now Arsenal need to find something, anything to grasp onto and get out of this damn funk.

And as you climb out of that pit and get back to some semblance of respectability then, hopefully, confidence ensues, and you can begin to address other things. Right now, let’s just get the win.

How the match should play out.

It has been easy in the past to identify how Arsenal would come out with so much swashbuckling flair. They haven’t done that much since the start of the season. However, they can ill afford to go down early or first one the road. Reading will likely park the bus, even at home. They’ve conceded a lot at home and they’ll look to put a lid on it and try and arrest a run of 5 straight losses. Arsenal looking to add some consistency and banish last week’s demons, I fully expect to come out with a flourish. That being said if they don’t it could be a long night.

Players to Watch:

Arsenal: Jack Wilshere. He is becoming slowly with each passing game this generation’s Mr. Arsenal. In the face of increasing criticism of the team and departures of key players one of the team’s (and England’s) brightest talents has made it a point to talk like a leader should talk (and walk the walk too).

Reading: Nicky Shorey.  Given the Arsenal penchant for lackluster defending of set pieces and crosses – Nicky’s delivery of meaningful crosses to the attack of Reading can’t be overlooked.

Projected Lineups:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Koscielny (match fitness), Santos (abdomen), Diaby (thigh), Fabianski (ankle)

Reading: Kébé (groin), Karacan (knee), McCarthy (shoulder), Morrison (ankle),. Roberts (hip), Pogrebnyak (unspecified).

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Podolski 4, Cazorla 4, Walcott 4,Giroud 4

Reading:  LeFondre 4

Assists Leaders:
Arsenal: Walcott 4

Reading: Macanuff 4, Shorey 4

Last Meeting (Capital One Cup):
Arsenal: 7

Reading: 5

Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 1

Reading (home): 1.7

Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): .8

Reading: (home): 2

Last Five:
Arsenal: WLDDW

Reading: LLLLL

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 10

Reading: -12

Match Official:
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Matches 10, R3 Y18)

Broadcast Information:
US: ESPN DePortivo

ESPN3 3:00P M EST UK: SS1   GMT

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Reading: 1