Reading strikers Jason Roberts and Pavel Pogrebnyak could return from injury for Monday's Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Jimmy Kebe (groin) and Jem Karacan (knee) have returned to training but will not play, while Sean Morrison (ankle) is still sidelined and Alex McCarthy is out long term.

Manager Brian McDermott has been installed as favourite to become the third Premier League manager to be sacked this season.

The Royals now lie bottom in the table after winning just one match this season. A 3-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Sunderland on Tuesday saw McDermott replace Martin O'Neill at the front of the sack race, which has already accounted for Mark Hughes and Roberto Di Matteo.

The 51-year-old only spent modestly during the summer, but still accepts the precarious nature of his position.

``People talk about my job and I understand that. I don't go home at night feeling great about myself because we're not winning games,'' McDermott said.

``I'm favourite to go first, we all know that. Sixteen games ago I'd have been 50-1, now I'm 7-4.

``That's how it works in football and I completely understand because it's a results-driven business.

``Generally over the last three years we've won a lot of games and our record is good, but all I do is focus on what I can do. We're not winning but we're trying to win.''

Arsenal should have striker Olivier Giroud in contention again following a back problem.

Defender Laurent Koscielny has resumed training after his thigh injury, but England winger Theo Walcott (calf) will be assessed.

Full-back Andre Santos (stomach muscle) and midfielder Abou Diaby (thigh) continue their rehabilitation.

Boss Arsene Wenger has challenged his battle-weary squad to look within themselves and provide a response against the Royals.

The Gunners head to the Madejski in need of a confidence boost following the shock penalty shoot-out defeat at npower League Two Bradford.

Wenger accepts the atmosphere has been somewhat subdued at Arsenal's Hertfordshire training base this week, but maintains it is now up to the players to show their strength of character.

``There has been disappointment and frustration [this week], but that is normal when you go out in a competition like that,'' Wenger said.

``However, having said that, we can only look at ourselves, get on with it and look for the future.''


http://espnfc.com/en/preview/345853/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=3888

i forsee another draw for arsenal.. Reading is a hard team to defeat

#naysayerz
We've beaten Reading once this season, we will do it again.
We have won the last 6 games against Reading, and we aren't ready to drop the ball.

Make reading no com break dem legs oo...

Suksex bois

Red-Light:
i forsee another draw for arsenal.. Reading is a hard team to defeat

Y dont u av faith in our team. wat is wrong wit u. I c us winning dis one. I neva knew Giroud is manageble dan dat wasteful gervinho. We would win easily. 2:0.

But even though we lose, i wil still love it. This is because it wil make Arsene Wenger (AW) to buy quality players dat can challenge for champions league, league and fa cup. There wil b much pressure dat he would av no choice dan to buy superstars and sell off dose deadwood players. Our Capital One cup defeat could b a blessing in disguise.

If we do exceedingly well dis December, Arsene Wenger wont buy players at all. He would sell off Walcott with no replacement. Wenger change ur ways. u ar over managing things. Are the board threatening u and ur family. Is something fishy going on dere. Was all this acts part of the terms and condition wen u sign d contract

Be bold at once and tell us d truth. Wat really happened. Y did David Dein resign. When u first came to Arsenal, u spent a lot and won us trophies. We had d best squad in the world. We were d d best in the world. Any team dat faces Arsenal trembles. In fact, we would av been predictin 4:0 comfortably in dis match. Tell us d secret. People ar abusing ur beautiful legacy. people ar cursing u b ut de know not. U ARE THE BEST COACH EVER, BUT THE BOARD HAD MADE U A BAD COACH, because OF LACK OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES. IT IS TIME FOR U TO TELL THE WORLD THE TRUTH ABOUT ARSENAL POLICY.

dopeJemi: I see ArsenaL Losing dis 1
Quote Me after d Match

DopeJ, did you smoke dope to say this?
Arsenal should scrap out a win

If arsenal like let them win, they are not Mon U problem

DMainMan:

Y dont u av faith in our team. wat is wrong wit u. I c us winning dis one. I neva knew Giroud is manageble dan dat wasteful gervinho. We would win easily. 2:0.

But even though we lose, i wil still love it. This is because it wil make Arsene Wenger (AW) to buy quality players dat can challenge for champions league, league and fa cup. There wil b much pressure dat he would av no choice dan to buy superstars and sell off dose deadwood players. Our Capital One cup defeat could b a blessing in disguise.

If we do exceedingly well dis December, Arsene Wenger wont buy players at all. He would sell off Walcott with no replacement. Wenger change ur ways. u ar over managing things. Are the board threatening u and ur family. Is something fishy going on dere. Was all this acts part of the terms and condition wen u sign d contract

Be bold at once and tell us d truth. Wat really happened. Y did David Dein resign. When u first came to Arsenal, u spent a lot and won us trophies. We had d best squad in the world. We were d d best in the world. Any team dat faces Arsenal trembles. In fact, we would av been predictin 4:0 comfortably in dis match. Tell us d secret. People ar abusing ur beautiful legacy. people ar cursing u b ut de know not. U ARE THE BEST COACH EVER, BUT THE BOARD HAD MADE U A BAD COACH, because OF LACK OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES. IT IS TIME FOR U TO TELL THE WORLD THE TRUTH ABOUT ARSENAL POLICY.

why are u tellin me all these now? BTW no amount of pressure can force arsene wenger to buy world class players... the man is too stingy ... and he is irreplaceable cos no manager can handle current arsenal team without going to relegation

reading 1 vs arsenal 3, i predict again..

Reading 0-2 Arsenal

I hope we lose this game, if only it will cause Wenger's sack or resignation. But if not, let's win it good.

slap1: I hope we lose this game, if only it will cause Wenger's sack or resignation. But if not, let's win it good.

Before n ko, you no wan lose ni?
Walahi if reading no win this match make I fall from OKRA tree

Abeg! Abeg!! Admin! Remove this fuckin post from the front page! I NO WAN HEAR anytin about ARSENAl! Na dec we dey! Christmas don reach! Make i celebrate christmas with ease! I no wan get HEART ATTACK!

seriously if arsenal do not win this game very good, maybe its time for le prof. to say au revoir.
Gunner still!

torres2:

Before n ko, you no wan lose ni?
Walahi if reading no win this match make I fall from OKRA tree

Your username shows you should hide your face in shame. . .or even consider suicide.

COYG!!!

game on!!!!

oxxxx!!!!

what a shot!

poldi didnt watch before passing

han han

Wait oh, theo walcot is leading the attack?

first corner for arsenal

freekick arsenal

Reading is gonna win.

walcott's a bit wide

See how this walcott is pulling rank here o, taking every Cks and Fks

Another 7 - 5 score.

phew choi . .reading wan score

Abeg arsenal make una loss make wenger park him bag go. We dnt want him anymore.

poldi watch na