Frank Stubbs: Goals Goals Goals!

Goals Goals Goals!

The statisticians out there will know the answer to this but in all the time I have been going I don't remember playing a team three times in a season and seeing a total of 24 goals! Hugely entertaining, each and every one of them and, most importantly, we have come out on top on each occasion.

Despite following the usual home matchday routine, Saturday had a sense of novelty around it, only I can assume as a result of it being a full five weeks since we last headed into London N5. Consequently, coupled with the whole 'bank holiday' feel, I was really looking forward to the day.

The only real 'downer' for me was the news regarding Abou's latest injury. None of us Gooners need reminding how unlucky he has been on that front over the years, a situation that is hugely frustrating for all of us and none more so of course than Abou himself. Early this season we saw evidence of what an influential player he can be when fully fit, his performance at Anfield one of the most dominant I have seen in all my visits to that stadium down the years.

Keep your chin up Abou, we all know you still have plenty of time to have a lengthy injury-free period upon your return.

With only a handful of games remaining it would be nice if summer tried to make an appearance before the season is over too! The flurries of snow in the air before the match certainly didn't suggest it is anywhere close quite yet!

Playing a team with a new manager adds an additional degree of uncertainty to any fixture, a situation I can remember causing us problems down the years. Taking that into account, along with the fact Reading are fighting for their top-flight lives, meant there was absolutely no room for complacency.

To be honest we were dominant from the first whistle and once Gerv opened the scoring the result never looked in doubt. In fact overall it really was a case of how many rather than if.

Some of our football was excellent and along the lines of what we've become accustomed to in recent times but the three points were the most important aspect as always.

Announcements regarding pre-season in Asia have been coming thick and fast in recent weeks too, extremely tempting to say the least! Credit card points, air miles and funds will dictate whether it is a journey that can be undertaken personally but before all that my thoughts are firmly on the weekend's trip to the West Midlands as we take on West Brom.

Last season's visit is full of extremely fond memories for all us Gooners and in a tough fixture we would all like to take more of the same home on Saturday please.

Come on you mighty reds!

Frank
@stubbsy70