Arsenal have headed into the half-time interval of their Premier League game against Reading at the Emirates Stadium 1-0 up.

© PA Photos

The first chance of the game fell to the home side as early as the third minute, Olivier Giroud testing Royals goalkeeper Stuart Taylor with a glancing header.

The Gunners made the breakthrough seven minutes later through Gervinho, who combined with Giroud and Santi Cazorla before tapping home from close range.

The Ivorian could have doubled Arsenal's lead in the 15th minute when he found himself at the end of a Bacary Sagna cross inside the Reading penalty area, but failed to keep his header on target.

Arsene Wenger's side then had a penalty appeal turned down when Giroud went down under Taylor's challenge, before Gervinho failed to finish a move he himself created with pace and control.

Arsenal dominated the remainder of the first half, Aaron Ramsey, Cazorla and Gervinho all coming close to consolidating their lead.