Reading v Arsenal – Match Chat (30/10/2012)

READING v ARSENAL
Tuesday 30th October 2012 - Kick off 7.45 pm
Madejski Stadium
Capitol One League Cup – Round 4


Game Introduction

Away fans – if you’re coming to Reading, see the special Royals Rendezvous Guide for Away fans – Travel and Drinks/Food :
http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/9220871/1


FORM GUIDE

Table Positions:
Reading 18th - 4 points (played 8 games)
Arsenal 4th - 15 points (played 9 games)


Arsenal Recent form:
I obviously hardly need to state that Arsenal are one of the biggest sides in English football, but by their own standards I’d guess that they consider their start to the season a little bumpy. True, they’ve had enormous victories, walloping both Southampton (league) and Coventry (League Cup) 6-1, not to forget victories at Anfield (2-0) and a presence once again in the Champions League; but they’ve slightly suffered when it matters most – losing 1-2 at home to London rivals Chelsea, away to unfashionable Norwich 0-1, and only ‘scaped’ home to bottom club QPR on Saturday. Is this enough of a faint light to give Reading hope?

Reading Recent form:
So it’s 8 without a win in the league, but half are at least draws so our goal difference negatives are less severe than some of the teams around us. However, although Reading CAN’T continue at this rate! Half the season with draws and the other half losses would see us finish on 19 points – absolute relegation certainties. The cup is a nice distraction to measure up to the big boys, but we HAVE to get a couple of victories in the league to buoy us up, and very soon!


THE BOSS – the current manager of Arsenal:
Arsène Wenger


WEB SITES

Official Arsenal Club Web Site:
http://www.arsenal.com

Unofficial individual club web sites – daib0’s suggestion: Arsenal Mania


OPPOSING FANS SECTION

Rivalries, and fan base:
Manchester, Spurs and Chelsea ...
The fanbase is large and generally loyal, and virtually all home matches sell out. The club's location, adjoining wealthy areas and largely working-class areas, has meant that Arsenal's supporters have come from across the usual class divides.

Nicknames and Mascots etc.
The Gunners - Local links to military arsenal, due to the founders were in fact workers on a local arms factory
“Gunnersaurus Rex" is the official mascot, a dinosaur like creature…



MATCH DAY EXPECTATIONS

Attendances:
Reading’s average at home this season is 24,076 - that's 99.5% of capacity. We are 17th in the attendance charts for home games.


SCORE PREDICTIONS

My own verdict:
It’s a rarity for me to predict a Reading loss, but we’ve never beaten Arsenal; therefore, uncomfortably, I have to go with:
Reading 0 Arsenal 2 – but I sure hope I’m proved wrong!


What do others say?
The Oddschecker site, listing nearly all the major betting companies, shows Reading are easily the underdogs in this game, you’ll have odds of over 3/1 for a home win, and you’ll get a draw for an average 13/5 as well (at end of 90 mins or 120 mins? I’m not sure here as to the bookies rules in league cup games).



FOR THE RECORD

Last Encounter

19th April 2008
Premier League
Arsenal 2 Reading 0
[Just for old time’s sake, here are comments on the old BBC 606 service after the game, nearly all are by Gunners fans - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A34840947 ]


Head-to-head Reading and Arsenal

Played in total 9 times: 0 Reading wins / 9 Arsenal wins / 0 draws

Best Reading victory: - never beaten Arsenal

Best Arsenal victory: October 2006 – Reading 0 Arsenal 4

Also interesting: - nothing of note!


THIS DATE in history

Great news here at least for Royals supporters! Reading have played 13 times on the 30th October through the years, with a most impressive list of results: W9 D1 L3. The only losses were to Crystal Palace (1920), Bristol Rovers (1983) and in 2004 losing 2-3 to Coventry City away (our goals from Owusu and Kitson). Let’s focus on the good results, and 4 of last 5 games have been wins including v Yeovil 4-2 (H) in the FA Cup in 1999, and a great 4-3 victory over Doncaster in the championship.

How do Arsenal fare then? Not special to be honest; they’ve played 21 times with a W6 D5 L10 reading. Last time out in 2010 – a close 1-0 victory over the Hammers in the Premier with a goal from Song just two minutes from time. A great relief for the 60,000 crowd present...


For those who’d like to read a really detailed match presentation please pop over to the specialist Reading FC forum ‘Royals Rendezvous’ where you have even more sections covered (this present article is simply a resume) and many a photo up too … http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/9748489/1

Here’s to a good game, all comments welcome! Any snippet copied will be fully credited (and thanked) with your user name and the forum! ...

daib0