Arsenal vs Reading : Match Preview

At last, the interminable international break is almost over, and Arsenal can get back to playing football again (and I don't mean the ladies' side, though we do love them).

This weekend the Gunners will take on Reading in what is sure to be an open and goal-filled fixture. Both sides are known for their porous defenses, and we were treated to an absolutely insane 7-5 thriller during the Capital One Cup earlier in the season.

With Arsenal scrapping for every last point in their push for a top-four finish and Reading doing likewise in their bid to remain in the Premier League next season, both teams have massive incentives to go for all three points.

Here are four battles to keep your eye on as the game approaches.

Theo Walcott vs. Himself vs. Olivier Giroud

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

After being released from England's World Cup Qualifying squad last week, it is not certain whether Theo Walcott will actually be able to play for Arsenal this weekend.

If he can, Arsene Wenger has a bit of a selection dilemma at striker.

Though the Englishman has gone through something of a barren patch of late, Olivier Giroud has only found the net once in his past few hundred minutes of football. Last time Arsenal played Reading, Walcott was given his first start as a striker and capped off a good display with a goal.

Perhaps a game in his preferred position will give him his shooting boots back, and kick-start the return to form that Arsenal need to win their final games of the season.

If he is fit enough, that is.

Jobi McAnuff vs. Carl Jenkinson

With Bacary Sagna still out with a knee injury, according to Arsenal's official website, Carl Jenkinson will be tasked with shutting down Reading captain Jobi McAnuff.

Jenkinson has had a relatively strong campaign, generally doing well when he has had to fill in for the much more consistent and experienced Sagna. The Englishman's boundless energy and oddly good crossing ability are his two biggest assets, but he has been prone to moments of ill judgment.

McAnuff is the type of player who can exploit Jenkinson's inexperience. He is not the paciest winger in the Premier League, but his movement and crisp passing on the left flank have ensured that he has played in every single one of Reading's games this season.

That type of veteran guile can be crucial against a relatively raw young player.

Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny vs. Adam Le Fondre

Reading get beaten primarily because they let far too many goals in, rather than an inability to put the ball in the back of the net.

Central to the Royals' strategy of run-and-gun football is striker Adam Le Fondre, who has a hefty 10 Premier League goals this season.

On a team destined to get relegated, as Reading are, there are always one or two players who are clearly good enough to remain in the Premier League. Le Fondre is one of those men.

With the kind of slithering movement that all good poachers can use, his finishing touch has been, by far, the most reliable for Reading this season. His 10 goals are double the totals of Jimmy Kebe and Pavel Pogrebnyak.

But Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny will certainly feel that they can stop Le Fondre. Since the latter was recalled at the expense of Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in two consecutive games. If the two manage to retain their form, they will win the battle.

Arsenal's Midfield vs. Reading's Midfield

As is so often the case, the winner of the midfield battle will likely win the game.

During Reading's last fixture againstManchester United, the Royals were nearly bullied off the pitch, conceding almost 60 percent of possession and failing to record a single shot on target.

Arsenal are far from United's level, but they certainly have one of the strongest and most technically gifted midfields in England, despite the absence of Jack Wilshere.

I would pick Mikel Arteta and any of Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby, Santi Cazorla or Aaron Ramsey to boss the likes of Jem Karacan and Mikele Leigertwood any day of the week.

If the Gunners do their job in the middle of the pitch, they can control the tempo of the game, prevent deadly counterattacks and work to break down Reading's fragile defense. As always, the midfield maestros will be Arsenal's most important players.

Predicted line up (Arsenal ) :

Fabianski , Jenkinson , Koscielny , Mertesacker , Monreal , Arteta , Ramsey , Cazorla , Chamberlain , Giroud , Gervinho 

Predicted Score :

Arsenal 3-1 Reading