Reading vs Arsenal Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Arsenal play Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Monday night looking to get their season back on track after another disappointing week.

No doubt Tuesday’s Capital One Cup loss to Bradford was a low point of an already disappointing season so far, but it’s important the players pick themselves up and come back stronger, starting on Monday night.

Reading are in poor form and sit bottom of the league after QPR recorded their first win of the season on Saturday, so this is a must win game for us. Tottenham moved into fourth spot after narrowly beating Swansea 1-0 today and are now five points ahead of us, but we’ll move into fifth and just two points behind Spurs with a win tomorrow so we can’t let this opportunity slip.

Team News

Olivier Giroud is back in the squad and should start after missing the Bradford game with a back problem. Laurent Koscielny is also back after returning to training on Friday but Wenger is likely to keep faith with Mertesacker and Vermaelen in central defence.

Unfortunately Theo Walcott is still out with a calf problem. We’ve really missed Theo in recent games so hopefully he’s back soon. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to continue on the right side.

Andre Santos continues to be on the sidelines with a stomach injury while Abou Diaby wont be back until into the New Year.

Reading have Jason Roberts and Pavel Pogrebnyak back in contention but the pair are likely to be on the bench as they go with Hunt and Le Fondre up top. Jimmy Kebe and Jem Karacan are both close to returning to fitness but the game on Monday comes too soon.

Danny Guthrie is expected to be on the bench after refusing to travel with the squad for Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Sunderland.

Likely Line-ups

I’d like to see Tomas Rosicky given a start. He really changed the pace of our attacking game on Tuesday and linked up well with Cazorla and Wilshere, but i think Arsene might keep him on the bench and bring him on if needed.

Predicted Score

Nothing less than three points will do. We can’t afford any more stupid slip-ups. If we play with intensity and determination, our superior quality will take care of the rest. I’m going to back the boys to respond on Monday and get the win. Reading 1-3 Arsenal. COYG!

What would your team be and what’s your score prediction? Get involved in the comments section below.