Theo Walcott put in a sterling performance in today's early afternoon kick off between Reading and Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners displayed the kind of form that put them top of the league for most of the season; and Gilberto Silva and Adebayor goals gave them a 2-0 victory.

Arsenal's interest is now trying to finish second behind Manchester United, whereas Reading's is a fight for survival.

Walcott almost scored on 24 minutes when his header from a corner was goalbound, but the Reading keeper got both arms in the way to block the effort.

Robin van Persie came close on 29 minutes when his low free-kick on the left side of the area was fired under the leaping Reading wall and just turned away before it crossed the line by a brilliant Hahnemann save.

Kolo Toure was the creator and Arsenal finally went in front as he sent the ball in to Emmanuel Adebayor who brough tth eball down well and turned the ball past Marcus Hahnemann in the Reading goal.

The game was put beyond Reading on 38 minutes when he shot the ball past the keeper as it took a nasty deflection and into the goal.

Arsenal began the second half as they finished the first to keep the Reading goal under siege.

Arsenal were starting to dominate the procedings even more in the second half. Theo Walcott was outstanding and started to show why he is so highly rated as he wonderfully turned with the ball and Ibrahima Sonko brought the winger down.

van Persie picked up the ball for the free kick and the Dutchman they call 'the King of the Cage' fired the ball against the bar and then onto the post.

Despite Arsenal's dominance the game finished 2-0.