Reading (A)

It wasn't pretty, it wasn't easy and it certainly wasn't what we expected but we got there in the end. It was by no means a classic Arsenal performance but overall we deserved the victory. QPR can whine and moan all they like but Julio Cesar kept them in it and they had chances to score but didn't take them. It was getting to the point where I just didn't think it was going to our day with Cesar denying Giroud, Wilshere and others, then the best chance of the game fell to the one man we all wanted it too with acres of space, only to see Cazorla blaze it over on the half volley. Then in the 84th minute Arshavin (who played really well for the time he was on) clipped a lovely ball over the top for Giroud who on another day would have scored only to be stopped yet again by Cesar, the ball broke loose and after some scrambling and a header off the bar Arteta poked the ball home and we finally had our goal. I must say Wilshere and Sagna both played very well and looked like they've been playing all year.

Tomorrow we have a league cup game at Reading and frankly I'm not expecting much in terms of a first team fielded. But this is to be expected bearing in mind we have a daunting trip to Old Trafford at the weekend and Wenger will want us sharp and fully fit for that. As nice as it would be to win the League Cup to be honest I'm with Wenger, I'd take Champions League qualification over the Capital One Cup every season. I would however expect Reading to field a strong team so it will by no means be easy for us. 

I would expect to see the likes of Miquel, Gnabry, Martinez, Afobe and co. to play which is good for them and for us. They get experience and the chance to show us what they're made of and we get a glimpse of the future of Arsenal. We may mix it up with a few fringe players like Arshavin and others in there just to try and balance the team out. There seems no point in me naming a team as I have no idea who we'll play. However make no mistake the team that Wenger fields will be more than capable of winning the match so expect us to compete none the less. Similarly with Reading I have no idea who they will play so there's no point in me guessing. In other news SZCZ has re-joined the first team for training which is encouraging for the weekend.

We have a big match this weekend and nobody will be surprised to see Wenger field a young side and rest many of our key players before we travel up north. It would be nice for us to have a good run in this competition but if we were to go out its not the end of the world. COYG!!

Prediction: Reading 1-2 Arsenal