#4 Strange tactics from the away side
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Reading seemed to have lost the game even before the kickoff. Adopting a defensive mindset throughout, they did not venture forward even when they trailed 1-0. Content to sit back and absorb pressure, they created just 2 chances throughout the game out of which 1 was in stoppage time.
Teams that take the game to Arsenal and attack them from the outset are usually the ones that get a result. Liverpool did it brilliantly in the opening game of the Premier League and more recently, Swansea. Despite ending up on the losing side, they caused the Gunners’ defense plenty of problems in the latter stages.
Middlesbrough, as well, took the game to Arsenal and could've had a couple of goals on another day. Reading, however, seemed to be happy with a narrow defeat. Jaap Stam’s men hardly ever pressed the Gunners’ midfield high up the pitch and allowed the Arsenal players far too much time and space to pick out passes of their choice.
