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Preview: Arsenal vs Reading

Preview: Arsenal vs Reading


Preview: Arsenal vs Reading

Today's home game against Reading looks set to be Jens Lehmann's final home game for Arsenal. The Gunners have seen their double challenge falter in recent weeks, while Reading need a win against the London giants to assist their survival chances.

Arsenal, whose season has unravelled over the past six weeks, will again be without midfielder Mathieu Flamini and full-back Bacary Sagna this weekend as both men continue to recover from ankle problems.

Justin Hoyte is out of contention after suffering a slight hamstring injury when playing for the reserves, but Brazil youngster Denilson is now available following a similar worry.

Arsenal have fallen out of the title race after losing to Manchester United at Old Trafford, there is still the matter of pride to play for as they welcome Reading to the Emirates Stadium.

Steve Coppell is expected to make changes after their defeat to Fulham in their last match. Coppell stated that only goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann gave a worthy performance while the other 10 players could find themselves on the bench after a poor performance in their match against The Cottagers. Captain Graeme Murty is back in the side after a knee injury while winger Glen Little could start after more than a year out of the side with a heel injury.

Wenger focusing onwards and upwards

on Arsenal TV: "It will never go out of my system, but we want to focus forwards and what is in front of us.

"Now is a good opportunity for us to show mental strength and to finish as well as we can, as high as we can because second place is still possible.

"Overall, I believe we have made big progress this season. We were very close to the two trophies which really matter to us and we want to go into the next season feeling we have moved forward."

Squads

Arsenal from: Lehmann, Toure, Gallas, Song, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Gilberto, Hleb, van Persie, Adebayor, Fabianski, Senderos, Walcott, Bendtner, Djourou, Denilson, Diaby.

Reading from: Hahnemann, Federici, Rosenior, Murty, de la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Duberry, Sonko, Shorey, Golbourne, Little, Oster, Henry, Harper, Matejovsky, Hunt, Convey, Kebe, Kitson, Doyle, Long, Cisse, Fae, Gunnarsson.