A Santi Cazorla hat-trick led Arsenal to a convincing win over Reading in the Premier League this evening.
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The visitors looked threatening from the start, Cazorla and Walcott enjoying early chances in the first half.
Lukas Podolski fired the Gunners into the lead after 14 minutes, smashing the ball beyond Adam Federici from inside the box.
Cazorla opened his account in the 32nd minute, punishing defensive errors by the home side to double Arsenal's advantage.
The Spaniard netted his second two minutes later, Kieran Gibbs heading the ball to Cazorla who smashed the ball home to give Arsenal a 3-0 lead at half time.
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Arsene Wenger's men began the second half as they ended the first, dominating possession and carving open the Reading defence.
Federici denied Cazorla his hat-trick early on in the second period, but the winger was set up by his teammates in the 60th minute, tapping in a cross from Podolski to give him his first Premier League hat-trick.
Reading gave Arsenal some concern, when Adam Le Fondre and Jimmy Kebe each netting for the Royals in the space of five minutes.
Theo Walcott ended any hopes of a Reading comeback in the 80th minute, slotting home Arsenal's fifth.
The win moves Arsenal up to fifth, two points outside the Champions League places, while Reading remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Sian Cowper
