Gunners back on top after Royals win

Mathieu Flamini put the Gunners ahead just before half-time, with Emmanuel Adebayor doubling their lead on 52 minutes.

Reading defended bravely, but were simply outclassed as Alexander Hleb added a third with Arsenal extending their unbeaten run to 27 consecutive games. Nicky Shorey grabbed a late consolation goal for the hosts.

Arsenal snatched the lead shortly before half-time. The ball was won in midfield by Tomas Rosicky - fit again following a groin problem - and quickly fed Adebayor down the right, who in turn found Hleb on the overlap.

The Belarus winger pulled the ball back across the six-yard box, where Flamini was on hand to steer it into the net ahead of his marker Ibrahima Sonko.

Arsenal were again bright at the start of the second half. Another quick interchange of passes saw Adebayor speed away down the left in the 52nd minute.

He fed Rosicky on the overlap before the ball was pushed into Cesc Fabregas just inside the box. The Spaniard in turn laid it back to Adebayor, who calmly placed the ball low into the far right corner to end his eight-match goal drought.

The match opened up during the final 20 minutes, with plenty of space both in midfield and down the flanks. With 13 minutes left, Hleb latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the area.

The Belarus winger skipped one challenge and showed quick feet to keep Marcus Hahnemann at bay - before stepping back to smash a close-range effort past the man on the line and into the back of the net.

Reading got their consolation with three minutes to go when England full-back Shorey drilled the ball home following an uncharacteristic moment of chaos in the Arsenal six-yard box.