Arsenal vs Reading - Emirates Stadium, London - Saturday 3rd March 2007

Arsenal got away with this three points in the end, really, but it should not have been like that. With about 5 players to choose from that weren't either injured, or more annoyingly suspended, it was a bright start, with little doubt in the minds of most that we would be able to overcome a good Reading side. We had not lost at home yet, so even with a weakened team, few thought that Reading would be the side to change that. We even managed to go in at half time without conceding a goal for a change, although we hadn't scored one either!

The second half continued in a similar vein, more Arsenal attacking and pressure, this time attacking the "favourite" end where the vast majority of our goals are scored (in fact, pretty much all of them). Just into the second half, we were awarded what looked to me like a nailed on penalty, when Clichy was totally poleaxed in the box after a great run. Gilberto stroked the penalty home, and ran off with an "angry man" look on his face, although it was probably more a look of relief. Ten minutes later, Julio Baptista doubled the lead with a decent finish after doing very well to hold off the attention of Reading defenders.

After that, it all started to get a little less convincing - "foot off the gas" syndrome kicked in, and allowed Reading to creep back into the game. The man in the photo, Abou Diaby - now a cult hero for kicking John Terry in the head - came on as a sub to a generous reception - at least a better reception than he is likely to get the next time he plays Chelsea! Then, with about 5 minutes of normal time to go, a good Reading move forced a corner, which in turn forced an own goal from an otherwise sturdy Cesc Febregas. The remaining few minutes (including a seemingly very long bout of injury time) were very nervy indeed, and the relief when the final whistle eventually went was obvious all round.

Many of the subsequent match reports quite rightly gave Reading the credit they deserved for coming to our ground and trying to play a football match, instead of just defending. It even cost them points in all likelihood, because they could probably have got away with a draw against our weakened side if they had "parked the bus" in front of our goal. But they tried to play football, with the outcome that this was a pretty enjoyable game to watch. Very few yellow cards as well, so all that (plus the fact that we have taken 6 points from them this season) makes me glad that they are staying up next season. If only more of the Premiership was more like them.