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TGL:CBKoE
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Arsenal Vs Reading
| Quote: |  Arsenal will hope to avoid a fourth defeat on the trot when they host Reading on Saturday
The Gunners' season has unravelled over the last fortnight as their hopes of winning a treble of cups have been obliterated.
They lost 2-1 to Chelsea in the Carling Cup final last Sunday and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackburn in midweek, while a 1-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven has left their chances of reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in the balance.
However, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five Premiership games and Arsene Wenger will want his side to strengthen their position in the top four with victory over Reading.
Reading are just six points behind Arsenal and are still very much in the hunt for European football.
Steve Coppell's side have seen their winning run come to an end though, with defeat to Middlesbrough sandwiched between two gallant but ultimately unsuccessful FA Cup games against Manchester United.
They will also be wary of travelling to Emirates Stadium after being thumped 4-0 by Arsenal at home in October, comfortably their worst loss of the season.
Reading's chances have been boosted by Arsenal's disciplinary troubles, as Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue will all be suspended following their part in the Carling Cup fracas.
Thierry Henry is also set to miss out with a foot injury, along with Tomas Rosicky (groin), Abou Diaby (ankle), Justin Hoyte (hamstring) and Mathieu Flamini (foot).
Robin van Persie is still recovering from a broken metatarsal, but Johan Djourou could return after overcoming an ankle problem.
Jens Lehmann and midfielder Cesc Fabregas will also come back into contention after missing the defeat at Blackburn.
Coppell is likely to make changes to his Reading XI after continuing his policy of fielding reserves in the FA Cup defeat to United.
Michael Duberry and Greg Halford are available again after being cup-tied in midweek, but Dave Kitson could keep his place and make his first Premiership start since suffering a serious knee injury on the opening day of the season.
Bobby Convey and Ibrahima Sonko are both long-term absentees due to knee injuries.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-1
Arsenal to return to winning ways despite their injury problems.
Player to watch: Theo Walcott
Source : Sky Sports  |
Arsenal team:
-------------Lehmann-------------
Djourou -- Gallas -- Senderos -- Clichy
Hleb -- Gilberto -- Fabregas -- Ljungberg
-------Aliadiere -- Baptista----------
Looks likely to be our team after this lot miss out:
Adebayor, Eboue, Toure (all suspended), Henry (foot), Rosicky (groin), Diaby (ankle), Justin Hoyte (hamstring), Mathieu Flamini (foot) and Robin van Persie (foot).
looks like a easy match 4 arsenal, on paper, but alas it wont be easy, without Arsenal's key players, who have injuries |
| Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:40 pm |
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issbill 
Soccer Star
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Joined: 13 Jan 2006
Posts: 3482
43594 ODpoints
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what the f**k, it ain't easy on paper or otherwise. It is very possible Reading will win, and if this is the team it is a cert.
Reading have one of the best keepers in the division, they have one of the hardest working defences, which links in with its midfield, they also have a good strikeforce, England U21 international and a Republic or Ireland international.
I say Arsenal 1- Reading 1
Plus add Arsenal have lost there last three games and Reading have lost 2 in 12 |
| Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:15 pm |
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issbill
Soccer Star
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Joined: 13 Jan 2006
Posts: 3482
43594 ODpoints
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If Arsenal lose today, they will hold the record for losing in 4 different competitions in 4 games in a row, the only side to have ever done so |
| Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:06 pm |
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TGL:CBKoE
Moderator
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Joined: 12 Aug 2005
Posts: 986
Location: At Home
24642 ODpoints
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i havent happened, issy!
Arsenal 2: GILBERTO PEN 51 & BAPTISTA 62
Reading 1: FABREGAS OG 87
OG'Y, OG'Y, OG'Y, OI, OI, OI, OG'Y, OG'Y, OG'Y, OI, OI, OI! |
| Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:53 pm |
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