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?
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