Comfortable. That’s about the best word to describe last night.
I must admit, I expected Reading to put up a bit more of a struggle than that. Once our first goal went in (and just before half-time is always a good time to score), the result never looked in any doubt. We go back to the top on goal difference and will remain there until at least the 24th November. How many Arsenal fans would have put money on the team being in the position they are in are in before the season began?
Adebayor got the man of the match for another all-action evening, with one goal scored, one post hit and one goal disallowed (unfairly – and it was the best move of the game to boot. Pah).
But Hleb ran him close, and overall, we passed the ball well and never had to soak up long periods of pressure.
It’s interesting that, following three draws, Wenger opted for no tinkering. Even Eboue retained his place. So still no room for Gilberto, Lehmann, Diarra, Denilson or Diaby to name but a few.
Yesterday we heard that Lehmann is considering his options for January, and I don’t blame him. He’s 38 now and he wants to play in Euro 2008, so that’s perfectly reasonable. If he does leave then we will require a replacement, and that could be an interesting one: Almunia is not the long-term answer and Fabianski’s jury is still out, so if we do sign a new keeper he will need experience. I have no idea who would fit the bill but Wenger will no doubt pluck someone from eastern European obscurity.
Right, off we go on another international week. Should be fun too, because it seems all too probable that England will not make the finals, a shambolic state of affairs. Heads will roll and rightly so.
Ta-ra then.