Reading
2-5
Arsenal

Kebe (71'), Le Fondre (66')

FT(HT: 0-3)

Podolski (14'), Walcott (80'), Cazorla (32', 34', 60')

Build-up

Half-Time Report: Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla fire Arsenal ahead at Reading

By Sian Cowper, Reporter | 17 December 2012

Arsenal take a 3-0 lead at half time in the Premier League game against Reading.

A quick-fire brace from Santi Cazorla helped Arsenal to a 3-0 lead at half-time in their game against Reading this evening.

Santi Cazorla heads to put Arsenal 2-0 up at Reading on December 17, 2012 © PA Photos

Arsenal looked bright in the opening minutes of the match as Cazorla and Theo Walcott both made early strikes.

The Gunners broke the deadlock after 14 minutes, when Lukas Podolski fired the ball past Adam Federici after Reading's defenders allowed the German too much time and space.

Walcott missed an opportunity to double the advantage when he pushed the ball wide after a one-on-one with the Reading keeper.

Reading had chances to get back into the game, but Thomas Vermaelen prevented Pavel Pogrebnyak from getting a cross in to Noel Hunt.

Cazorla punished Reading for their missed chance, exposing the gaps in the home side's defence to give Arsenal a 2-0 lead, before adding his second just two minutes later.