Fittingly this sparkling performance came on Arsene Wengers birthday but the lucky ones are us gooners who are privileged to watch such brilliance.
The first three goals were of the highest quality & it is difficult to pick which one was my favourite but the third goal scored by Robin Van Persie just edges it for me, due to the excellent passing & movement involved.
The travelling gooners were in good voice & it was great to hear both sets of supporters sharing their loathing of Jose Mourinho & Chelsea!
Lehmann - 7 - Not one of his busiest days but when called upon did his job well, including a great tip over the bar towards the end of the first half.
Hoyte - 7 - Had his best performance of the season so far, looked comfortable on the ball & got in some good tackles.
Toure - 8 - Commanding as ever & also joined the attack when possible. Held the back four together, it's a shame we can't have more than one captain in the team!
Djourou - 7 - Put his nightmare in Moscow well & truly behind him. As with Hoyte this was his best performance of the season. Showed great skill to cut out a dangerous Reading cross into the box mid way through the first half.
Gallas - 6 - Always keen to support our many attacks but defensively he was not at this best. Got caught ball watching & not picking up his man on two occasions, fortunately we were not punished.
Rosicky - 8 - I love watching this guy. Another 77 minutes of trickery matched with hard work. Deserved a goal & should have scored late on following yet another excellent move but the keeper saved well at his feet. (Song Billong 77)
Fabregas - 9 - Immense performance, he was all over the pitch for 90 minutes & had a hand in all of our goals. Thank goodness he has signed a new contract.
Gilberto - 8 - Another to put his below par performance in Moscow firmly behind him. An excellent performance breaking up Reading's play & engineering ours.
Hleb - 7 - Worked hard, moved the ball around well & scored a great goal following a one two with Rosicky before firing into the roof of the net. (Adebayor 73)
Van Persie - 6 - Poor decision making cost Robin. On two occasions he went for goal when his team mates were screaming for the ball to be cut back & then on the one occasion when he should have had a pop at goal he decided to try & find a team mate! He did score the goal of the game however, finishing off a wonderful move with Hleb cutting the ball back for Robin to slot home. (Walcott 73)
Henry - 9 - A quality performance by the skipper. Scored two goals the first a delightful controlled low shot into the bottom corner following great work from Cesc. The second an unstoppable penalty which went in off the inside of the post.
Subs
Adebayor - 6 - (73mins) Came on for the last 17 minutes & was always eager to get possession of the ball.
Walcott - 5 - (73 mins) Also on for the last 17 minutes not really enough time to impress & his appearance coincided with our quietest period of the game, which I would think was down to tiredness following on from the game in Moscow.
Song Billong - 5 - (77 mins) Not on the pitch long enough to make an impression.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Clichy.