Arsenal 4 Reading 1

HO YES ... Arsenal striker Gervinho salutes his early breakthrough

The Frenchman stopped short of saying that and is weary of the Gunners’ ups and downs in performances.
Yet home fans even chanted Gervinho’s name in tribute to his star-man showing after this four-star display.
The Ivory Coast hitman slammed the early opener and set up Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud before coming off to a standing ovation. Granted, it was against the worst team in the league — and not for nothing are Reading bottom.

GER IN THERE ... Reading see Gervinho put the Gunners in front

Regardless, Arsenal are back to their fighting best and within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea.
This helter-skelter campaign has more twists and turns but Wenger appeared convinced his side will finish in the top four.
He said: “We are still behind Chelsea and Tottenham.
“We are not in a calculating mode. We can just win our next game and continue. It will be less predictable than was predicted.

HO NO ... Reading protest in vain about Gervinho's opener

“We’ve done it before and I’m sure we will do it again. But it requires a lot of dedication.”
This was so one-sided it was difficult to imagine Reading are in a fight for their lives.
By contrast, David Rocastle would have been proud of the performance of Arsenal, which came on the 12th anniversary weekend of his sad, early passing. “Oh Rocky, Rocky” rang around the stands after seven minutes in tribute to the legendary No 7. It warmed everyone’s heart on a bitterly cold day.
Shortly after, Arsenal went ahead as Cazorla blasted across the six-yard box and Gervinho slammed in a first-time shot.

TOUGH BAPTISM ...new Reading boss Nigel Adkins

There was controversy after 18 minutes.
Royals keeper Stuart Taylor clattered into Giroud and sent him up in the air. It was a clear penalty but, amazingly, ref Chris Foy did not give it.
Wenger joked: “I thought it was a penalty but the referee said it was not — and I have learnt from my long experience that the ref is always right.” Seven minutes later, Arsenal had another nailed-on penalty claim denied as Adrian Mariappa clearly handled in the box to block Mikel Arteta.
It was as well they did not need the spot-kicks.

ALL THAT CAZ ... Santi Cazorla's shot curves in to make it 2-0

Just after the restart Gervinho set up Cazorla, who steered an 18-yarder past Taylor to give Arsenal breathing space.
This was not the kind of display Nigel Adkins would have expected on his first match in charge. No “new manager” bounce for Reading, then.
Many say Adkins’ appointment was made with relegation in mind. The talented boss has won four promotions in the past five seasons.
Next up, Southampton, who sacked Adkins earlier this season. Make or break time.

ON THE ROUD TO VICTORY ... Olivier Giroud rams home Arsenal's third goal

He said: “We’ve got to learn the lessons and move on.
“We realise we need to win more than three or four games.
“We keep together and keep united and everyone has to sing from the same hymn sheet.”
Reading’s first shot, from Alex Pearce on the hour, went straight to Lukasz Fabianski.
Arsenal’s third was sublime and came from a Reading corner on 67 minutes.

HAL FOR LEATHER ... Reading scorer Hal Robson-Kanu bursts through Nacho Monreal's challenge

Bacary Sagna found Gervinho, who ran all the way into the box before feeding Giroud, whose first-time rasper exploded into the net. Less than a minute later Jobi McAnuff got behind Sagna and crossed at the far post, where Hal Robson-Kanu pulled one back with a spectacular diving header.
Arteta wrapped matters up from the spot after Mariappa brought down Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain — albeit seemingly outside the box.
But the day belonged to Arsenal. And Gervinho.
Wenger said: “Gervinho’s performance was very strong. He was always dangerous.
“Sometimes Gervinho has lost confidence because he played in a very negative atmosphere. Strikers need confidence.”

ART OF PENALTY TAKING ... Mikel Arteta coolly sends Stuart Taylor the wrong way from the spot

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal (Gibbs 71), Arteta, Rosicky, Ramsey, Gervinho (Oxlade-Chamberlain 75), Cazorla, Giroud (Podolski 75). Subs Not Used: Szczesny, Vermaelen, Coquelin, Jenkinson.
Goals: Gervinho 11, Cazorla 48, Giroud 67, Arteta 77 pen.
Reading: Taylor, Kelly, Pearce, Mariappa, Shorey, Leigertwood, Karacan (Akpan 76), Guthrie, McAnuff, Robson-Kanu (McCleary 80), Pogrebnyak (Hunt 61). Subs Not Used: McCarthy, Gunter, Le Fondre, Morrison.