Nigel Adkins will take charge of Reading for the first time on Saturday afternoon, when his new team visit the Emirates Stadium to take on Champions League-chasing Arsenal. Adkins was confirmed as the successor to fired manager Brian McDermott earlier this week, and knows he faces a tough task in trying to keep Reading (5-8-17) in the Premier League. The Royals are seven points from safety with just eight games remaining, but owner Anton Zingarevich is convinced he has brought in the right manager to take the club forward.
"Nigel is the man for the job. It's an important day for us, a really important appointment. I think he has all the right criteria, in terms of his CV and what he has been able to achieve. And the attractive football that he likes to play was one of the key factors for me. It's important for a manger to play attractive football - for the fans and for everyone who is involved."
Arsenal (14-8-7) are in the hunt for the Champions League places, and go into the latest round of matches just four points behind fourth-place Tottenham with a game in hand. However, the Gunners remain without Jack Wilshere, who is being given more time to get back to match fitness. "Wilshere's injury is not better or worse," admitted Wenger ahead of Saturday's game. "It was an inflammation of his (ankle) bone and we had such history with him, we are a bit more cautious than we would be with you or with me. We deferred a little bit his rehab by one week. We gave him one more week rest because it was wise medically to do it. "Honestly, it's very difficult (to predict when he will be back). I believe in two weeks on Sunday. That means not the next game; the game after. We will rest him when it is needed. He has regular scans and as soon as we have an alert, we will respect it no matter what is at stake."
These teams have played each other twice this season, with a staggering combined score of 14-7 to Arsenal over the two games. A sensational 7-5 League Cup win for the Gunners was followed up by a 5-2 win in the league, while seven different Reading players have accounted for the goals. Reading have lost five straight league games and have managed the least shots (270) and shots on target (97) of any club in the league. The Gunners have won four of their last five league games, keeping three clean sheets in that run. Arsenal have won all 11 meetings with Reading in their history.
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| Cazorla scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture |
Arsenal are currently the second best in-form team in the Premier League behind Manchester United, that moment must continue to mount pressure on teams ahead for 'coveted' top 4 place. Reading will come fighting with renewed vigor anchored by their new coaching staff and in two previous games this season, Reading showed they can cause Arsenal problems especially in the final third, and can score goals too. Arsenal will get opportunities in front of goal, no doubt, how they take them & early on in the game, will speak volume of likely outcome tomorrow. This is a game Arsenal should win, irrespective of any threat Reading may pose, any result short of 3 points, will be a set back. Can the Gunners coast home to victory against Reading after the international break ? Leave your predictions in the comments below winning score gets a shout out on Twitter!
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Opta Facts on Arsenal Vs Reading
The two meetings between Arsenal and Reading in 2012-13 already have seen 19 goals scored
Reading have conceded more Premier League goals against Arsenal (16) than any other opponent
Arsenal are yet to lose a Premier League game that they have taken the lead in this season
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