16th Dec 2012 | Football
Reading v Arsenal Tip
A hat-trick hero against these same opponents already this season.
He may be embroiled in seemingly endless contract talks, but Theo Walcott is producing the goods in front of goal when he does play this season. The England man is Arsenal’s top scorer with 10 in all competitions and is set for a recall for Monday night’s trip to the Madejski Stadium.
The 23-year-old has missed the last three matches with a calf injury but Arsene Wenger is ready to throw him back into the starting line-up with the Gunners desperately in need of three points.
Walcott scored a hat-trick on this very ground in the league cup at the end of October in a famous 7-5 victory for the Londoners. At a best price 2/1 (StanJames) to score anytime, he will surely relish the return to such a happy hunting ground.
Reading are rock bottom and have kept only one clean sheet all season. They may cause some trouble of their own with the likely return of Pogrebnyak and Roberts, but you fear for the Royals defensively after losing five on the bounce. Walcott has avoided personal association with recent Arsenal failings, and is more likely than most to find the net here.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 23:40 16th Dec, 2012 but subject to change
