Win at Reading gets Arsenal back on track but Wenger must keep Walcott

Arsenal bounced back from last weeks humiliating defeat to League Two Bradford in the Capital One cup by trouncing bottom placed Reading tonight in the Premier League, but will it be enough to please Arsene Wenger's critics?

A 5-2 win away from home against any Premier League team should always be applauded and tonight should be no different as the Gunners simply blew away their opposition, however the victory seemed to pose more questions of Arsene Wenger than answer them.

Theo Walcott who Wenger seemed reluctant to play up front was given the chance tonight with Podolski and Chamberlain either side of him and there is no doubt it worked. The youngster looked electric and even managed to get on the score sheet as he rounded off a superb team effort to comfortably fire home the visitors fifth to ensure victory. Arsenal could lose Walcott this January as the clock runs down on his contract and Wenger must move quickly to ensure the Englishman stays at the Emirates but he must promise Walcott more starts as a striker, and after tonight he should have no qualms in doing so.

Another player who stood out tonight was summer signing Santi Cazorla who again was the master of the midfield for the Gunners as he majestically passed players with ease, played fine sweeping balls across the park as well as chipping in with a superb hat-trick which saw him leave Reading with the match ball. Cazorla has looked fantastic for Arsenal this year and can be regarded as one of very few shining lights for them this season.

Again questions were asked of the Arsenal's back line as at one point they looked like capitulating as Reading stormed back to 2-4 after being 0-4 down. Again questions were raised as Arsenal failed to keep a clean sheet. The back four looked terrible at times and twice they were caught trying to play the offside trap and clearly messing it up as firstly Adam Le Fondre strolled through to score Reading's opener before Jimmy Kebe followed suit as the Gunners back line froze on a sub zero night in Berkshire.

There will be positives for Wenger to take from the game, none more so than the three points which see Arsenal climb to fifth in the table, however this win alone will not shake off the critics that have hung over the club like a bad smell over the past few weeks. This victory was expected by the Gunners fans and critics alike, however the next few weeks will be important as to whether Wenger will keep his job in North London or whether the club will look for a fresh face to take over.

Arsenal will also look to exploit the transfer market this January and a marquee signing might just quieten them critics a little more, however Wenger must make sure his first signing this winter is that of a new contract by Theo Walcott.

What do you think? Will Wenger keep his job at Arsenal and will Theo Walcott sign a new contract this winter?

Top two? Your having a laugh........surely?

This week Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers claimed that the club should be looking to finish higher than fourth and instead should be chasing Manchester City in second.

Those comments came just one day before Liverpool crashed to an humiliating 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa who before the clash at Anfield found themselves struggling in 17th place in this seasons Premier League. So what can Liverpool fans really expect for the remainder of the 2012-2013 season?

It has been a difficult few years now for the Reds on and off the field of play and most Liverpool fans want stability at the club, but is that enough? Rodgers took over the reigns of one of the biggest clubs in Europe who appeared to be on their last legs. Liverpool had finished eighth the previous season and even club legend Kenny Dalglish could not provide the magic spark to blast the sleeping giants into good form.

Many fans argue that Dalglish was making a difference and a League Cup last season was proof of that argument, however that sits uneasy with me as Liverpool just were not performing in the league and an eighth placed finish was not good enough. Another disappointment during the second coming of Dalglish was his willingness to spend large amounts of money on average players. £35 Million on Andy Carroll and £20 Million on Jordan Henderson clear proof.

So what has Rodgers done differently? In all honestly not a lot. Liverpool have endured their worst start to a Premier League season and still find themselves in the bottom half of the table as we approach Christmas. Rodgers has no right to demand his side chase second place and should firmly set his sights on ensuring his side qualify for European football next season.

I am not knocking Rodgers for showing a bit of outward belief in himself and his players and in fact it should be applauded that he has the courage to make such bold statements, however he is only adding pressure to his already broad shoulders as Liverpool fans have a tendency to get carried away, something I fear Rodgers latest comments could spark, however Saturdays defeat at home to Villa would have brought some Liverpool fans back to earth rather swiftly.

Rodgers must buy in the January window, but he must buy players that will perform in the Premier League and the likes of Fernando Llorente, Daniel Sturridge and Darren Bent all fit into that bracket. Liverpool need to rebuild quickly, defensively they are fine, the midfield could do with some adjustments although not much, however it is up front where Rodgers must relieve some of the pressure that is currently being carried by top goal scorer Luis Suarez.

Liverpool fans expect every season for their team to be challenging at the top end of the Premier League table and it saddens me at this current time in its history that some fans still expect that, even though it is not on the horizon anytime soon. With the right reinforcements in January, Rodgers can guide Liverpool to a top six finish this season and then look to build upon it next season, however his comments last week will mean the Reds fans will expect more and sadly that wont be possible this season.

Let me know what you think. Will Liverpool challenge for a top four finish or will Rodgers and co have to settle for a top ten finish?