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Barclays Premier League

The Madejski Stadium (ATT 24,125) 17th December 2012 - Kick off 20:00 Ref: A Taylor

Reading Reading vs Arsenal Arsenal

Reading 2

A Le Fondre (66)
J Kebe (71)

ft

Arsenal 5

L Podolski (14)
S Cazorla (32, 34, 60)
T Walcott (80)

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Premier League: Rock-bottom Reading hoping to pile pressure on Arsenal

Last Updated: December 17, 2012 2:43pm

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Brian McDermott: Has seen Reading hit rock-bottom heading into the festive period

Brian McDermott: Has seen Reading hit rock-bottom heading into the festive period

Reading will be looking to climb off the foot of the table and pile more pressure on Arsenal at the Madejski Stadium on Monday.

The Royals hit rock-bottom over the weekend, with Queens Park Rangers' first win of the season allowing them to edge up the Premier League standings.

One win in 16 outings since stepping back up into the top-flight has Reading propping up the division, with Brian McDermott's side yet to get going.

They desperately need to find some form heading into the busy festive period, with a run of five straight defeats in danger of making it a far from merry Christmas for the Royals.

Arsenal could be the ideal opponents for McDermott's men, with the Gunners having also found the going tough of late.

They will, however, be determined to offer a positive response to their Capital One Cup humbling by Bradford, with Arsene Wenger aware that he cannot afford another wobble as pressure mounts on his shoulders.

Arsenal have already scored seven times at the Madejski this season, in a remarkable League Cup clash in October, and with both sides in need of the points, another open encounter would appear to be on the cards.

Reading Badge Reading

Last 6

  1. West Ham (a) 4-2
  2. Man City (h) 0-2
  3. Fulham (a) 2-4
  4. QPR (h) 0-0
  5. Norwich (a) 2-1
  6. Liverpool (h) 0-0

Strike duo Jason Roberts and Pavel Pogrebnyak could come into contention for Reading.

Strikers Roberts and Pogrebnyak are both doubtful for the game as they nurse knocks, but may play some part.

Jimmy Kebe (groin) and Jem Karacan (knee) have returned to training but will not play, while Sean Morrison (ankle) is still sidelined and Alex McCarthy is out long term.

Arsenal Badge Arsenal

Last 6

  1. Newcastle (a) 0-1
  2. Wigan (h) 4-1
  3. QPR (a) 0-1
  4. Man Utd (h) 1-1
  5. Fulham (a) 0-1
  6. Everton (h) 0-0

Arsenal should have striker Olivier Giroud in contention again following a back problem.

Defender Laurent Koscielny has resumed training after his thigh injury, but England winger Theo Walcott (calf) will be assessed.

Full-back Andre Santos (stomach muscle) and midfielder Abou Diaby (thigh) continue their rehabilitation.

Opta stats

  • Reading and Arsenal have met 10 times in all competitions, with the Gunners winning them all.
  • Arsenal have won none of their last six away games in all competitions (W0 D4 L2).
  • The Royals have only managed one clean sheet in the league all season, the lowest tally of all Premier League sides.

Previous game's starting line-ups

4-4-2
  • McCarthy 21 McCarthy
  • Gunter 2 Gunter
  • Morrison 15 Morrison
  • Gorkss 17 Gorkss
  • Kelly 27 Kelly
  • McCleary 12 McCleary
  • Karacan 4 Karacan
  • Guthrie 20 Guthrie
  • McAnuff 11 McAnuff
  • Pogrebnyak 7 Pogrebnyak

  • Robson-Kanu 19 Robson-Kanu

Team taken from Reading vs West Ham (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013

4-2-3-1
  • Szczesny 1 Szczesny
  • Sagna 3 Sagna
  • Mertesacker 4 Mertesacker
  • Koscielny 6 Koscielny
  • Gibbs 28 Gibbs
  • Ramsey 16 Ramsey
  • Arteta 8 Arteta

  • Walcott 14 Walcott
  • Rosicky 7 Rosicky
  • Cazorla 19 Cazorla

  • Podolski 9 Podolski

Team taken from Arsenal vs Newcastle (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013


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Barclays Premier League

Barclays Premier League
Pos Team P Pts
1 Manchester United 38 89
2 Manchester City 38 78
3 Chelsea 38 75
4 Arsenal 38 73
5 Tottenham Hotspur 38 72
6 Everton 38 63
7 Liverpool 38 61
8 West Bromwich Albion 38 49
9 Swansea City 38 46
10 West Ham United 38 46
11 Norwich City 38 44
12 Fulham 38 43
13 Stoke City 38 42
14 Southampton 38 41
15 Aston Villa 38 41
16 Newcastle United 38 41
17 Sunderland 38 39
18 Wigan Athletic 38 36
19 Reading 38 28
20 Queens Park Rangers 38 25

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