Hello and welcome to Sports Mole’s live minute-by-minute text commentary of the Premier League clash between Reading and Arsenal tonight. It promises to be an exciting game of football, so stay on this page for all the action live as it happens.

Heading into tonight’s match, Arsenal find themselves eighth in the league table with 24 points from 16 matches, five points off the final Champions League place. Reading are at the foot of the table with just nine points.

Arsene Wenger’s side are heading into this match on the back of a humiliating defeat to League Two club Bradford City in the League Cup quarter-finals and all eyes will be on the London club.

Reading themselves are struggling too. The Royals have lost their last five Premier League matches and Brian McDermott is now the favourite to become the third manager in the English top flight to get sacked.

An interesting fact: Reading’s current run of five successive Premier League defeats is their worst since losing eight matches in a row in the 2007-08 campaign. They have also won just one of their last 10 home league games.

The two sides have already met this season - in the League Cup in October. On that occasion, Arsenal came from four goals down to win 7-5 at the ​Madejski Stadium and progress to the fifth round of the competition. Hopefully we will see another high-scoring match tonight!

And here comes the team news...

READING XI: Federici; Cummings, Shorey, Gorkss, Mariappa; Leigertwood, Tabb, Kebe, McAnuff; Hunt, Pogrebnyak

ARSENAL XI: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Podolski

READING SUBS: Taylor, Gunter, Harte, Pearce, McCleary, Robson-Kanu, Le Fondre

ARSENAL SUBS: Mannone, Koscielny, Coquelin, Ramsey, Rosicky, Giroud, Gervinho

So the big team news for Arsenal is that striker Olivier Giroud is back in the team, but only as a substitute. Laurent Koscielny, who returned to training on Friday, is also among the substitutes tonight.

Interestingly for Arsenal, Theo Walcott will start as the centre-forward. He has made it clear that he wants to play as a centre-forward and not as a winger, so he must be delighted with his position tonight.

For Reading, Pavel Pogrebnyak has returned from his injury and will make his first start since October. However, Jason Roberts is still out of the team with injury.

Kickoff is at 8pm, so we are exactly 30 minutes away from kickoff at the Madejski Stadium. Arsenal should be the favourites to win tonight.

Let’s now take a look at what the two managers have been saying ahead of tonight’s match. First up, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "I can understand that people criticise when the results are not as expected, but it looks like it has become the modern way to think. We are a united staff and team. You can unfortunately not control all the lies that are written in the newspapers. This team cares, is serious and wants to do well, I do not question the spirit of the team.”

Wenger continued: “Reading make it difficult for every team in every game, so we expect a battle. They are a time who deserve a lot of credit because they came up last year, for me surprisingly."

Reading manager Brian McDermott: “People talk about my job and I understand that. I don't go home at night feeling great about myself because we're not winning games. `I'm favourite to go first, we all know that. Sixteen games ago I'd have been 50-1, now I'm 7-4. That's how it works in football and I completely understand because it's a results-driven business.Generally over the last three years we've won a lot of games and our record is good, but all I do is focus on what I can do. We're not winning but we're trying to win."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has come under pressure this season following the Gunners’ disappointing performance. However, the players are firmly behind him. Latest to back the Frenchman is his compatriot Olivier Giroud.

Giroud told RMC: "If Arsenal are where they are, if they are known around the world, it's thanks to [Wenger]. There are no worries. Everyone owes him a lot of faith. He's the man for the situation."

Meanwhile, Thierry Henry is training with the Arsenal and it looks likely that he could be signed on loan from New York Red Bulls for a short period of time in the New Year.

Just 15 minutes to kickoff at the Madejski Stadium. It is Monday night football and it does promise to be a very interesting match indeed. Arsenal will be the favourites to win tonight, but Reading are under pressure and are desperate for a win after a run of five Premier League defeats in a row.

Another interesting fact: In the last four Premier League games between these two teams, Arsenal have scored 11 times, while Reading have found the target only once.

Another fact. Arsenal have won just one game in December - a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

Just five minutes to kickoff now. Both sets of players are getting ready to come out on to the pitch. Stay on this page for all the action live.

The two sets of players are now on the pitch, as the game is just moments away from kickoff.

And we are off! Arsenal kick off proceedings at the Madejski Stadium...

CHANCE Arsenal launch a counterattack, as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gallops from the midfield. He plays a one-two with Santi Cazorla and then takes a ferocious shot on the Reading goal, but Adam Federici makes a good save. However, the linesman’s flag has gone up - Oxlade-Chamberlain was in an offside position when he received the final pass from Cazorla.

Arsenal have made a positive start to the match here, as Lukas Podolski plays with the ball just outside the Reading penalty box. The German striker has been off-form in recent weeks, but he remains a superb forward.

The Gunners continue to press on, this time Oxlade-Chamberlain marching down the right flank and then floating a cross that is turned away for a corner by. The corner, though, fails to yield anything productive for Arsenal.

Free kick to Arsenal around 30 yards from goal, as Jack Wilshere is brought down by Mikele Leigertwood. Theo Walcott to take it...

CHANCE Walcott! The England international takes the free kick, but it goes just wide. However, I believe that Federici had it covered, so he would have saved it had it been on target.

CHANCE Oh, that was a close shave for Arsenal, as Reading break into the Gunners penalty area, but Jobi McAnuff fails to connect with Pavel Pogrebnyak pass.

Cazorla and Podolski once again try to play a one-two around the Reading penalty box, but their little game is interrupted by a wary Reading defence.

CHANCE HUNT! Nicky Shorey floats in a corner for Reading that Noel Hunt rises above Mikel Arteta to head it towards the Arsenal goal, but fails to keep it on target.

And just like that, Arsenal take the lead! The Gunners create another of their fast attacking moves, as the ball is played out wide to Kieran Gibbs on the left who then whips in a cross. It falls to Podolski, who is allowed to take a good first touch unchallenged, and then he smashes his shot in.

Reading were really awful there, as the defence allowed the German forward too much space and time on the ball. Manager Brian McDermott will be far from pleased with his team’s defending.

CHANCE Cazorla flies in a shot from 25 yards that goes just wide of the Reading top corner. Arsenal are looking very comfortable at the moment.

Podolski once again tries for goal with his left foot after a ball falls to him inside the Reading penalty box, but this time his attempt goes wide.

CHANCE Oh, how could he miss that! Walcott is played through on goal by Cazorla and he has only the goalkeeper to beat, but he fails to get the better of Federici. Oh, that should have been the second goal for Arsenal.

Arsenal have been the much better team in the first 23 or so minutes of the first half, as Reading are being dominated on their own turf. Cazorla, Podolski, Wilshere and Walcott all are looking very enthusiastic.

The game is being played almost exclusively in the Reading half of the pitch, as Arsenal have full control of the proceedings. Reading have failed to get into the game at all and have not had much meaningful possession.

CHANCE Another good opportunity for Arsenal to make it 2-0, as Gibbs’s cross from the left wing puts the Reading defence into trouble. Federici makes a good save, but the ball eventually falls to Wilshere, whose shot goes wide.

CHANCE Brilliant, brilliant defending from Thomas Vermaelen. Reading break away and Pogrebnyak fires in a low cross from the left aimed for Hunt, that the Arsenal centre-back slides in to clear away just in time.

Now Arsenal break away with Walcott once again spearheading the counterattack. The 23-year-old puts in a cross for Cazorla, but the Spanish midfielder’s attempt from it lacks much conviction.

Half an hour gone in this match, and it is 1-0 to Arsenal at the moment.

And now Arsenal go 2-0 up. The Gunners press on their hosts and Podolski puts in a dinked ball from the left that Cazorla dives in to make it 2-0. Terrible defending again from Reading.

Cazorla makes it 3-0 to Arsenal now. Once again, Reading fail to clear the ball, which falls to Gibbs on the left, He heads it towards Cazorla, who gets enough time and space to collect it, take a turn and then slam the ball home.

Game over? You would suppose so. Arsenal have gone 3-0 up and it is not even half-time yet! From what Reading have shown so far, I see no way how they can stage a comeback in this match. The home fans are starting to boo their team now.

YELLOW CARD McAnuff is the first player to be booked tonight for a bad challenge on Wilshere. The England international midfielder is down on the pitch at the moment, and Arsenal fans would hope that it is not serious.

No, it is not serious, as Wilshere gets up on his feet. Play resumes. Arsenal lead Reading 3-0.

Based on this performance, it is not hard to see why Reading have lost their last five Premier League matches and why they are stuck to the foot of the table. The Royals have shown no urgency or intensity to fight back and are simply soaking the Arsenal pressure.

Arsenal go on the attack yet again, as Podolski and Cazorla combine once more. However, the former’s final shot is blocked and Reading stave off the danger.

Two minutes to half-time at the Madejski Stadium and Arsenal are all over Reading at the moment.

CHANCE Brilliant save from Adam Federici! Bacary Sagna floats in a cross from the right flank that Oxlade-Chamberlain dives in with a header towards the Reading goal, but the Royals goalkeeper makes a wonderful save.

One minute of injury time has been awarded here.

Arsenal have been utterly dominant at Reading and are deservedly 3-0 up. Lukas Podolski broke the deadlock at the Madejski Stadium in the 14th minute, and Santi Cazorla made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute. Two minutes later he scored his second goal of the evening,

Let’s take a look at the stats from the first half. Of Reading’s six shots, none have been on target and the Royals have been in possession of the football for only 30% of the time. Arsenal have had seven shots on target (out of a total of 14), 70% of the possession and have forced Adam Federici into making four saves.

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has been largely a spectator in this match. He has not been asked to make a single save in the opening 45 minutes!

I should note that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski have done their job well. The duo have given Arsenal width and provided crosses that Reading have struggled to defend against. Having said that, the Royals have been truly woeful at the back.

Reading manager Brian McDermott will come under even more pressure if they lose tonight. The Royals are on a run of five Premier League defeats in a row. Could he be the next Premier League manager to get sacked?

And the second half kicks off...

Can Reading stage a comeback in the second half? They need three goals in the second 45 minutes to earn a draw at home...

CHANCE Oxlade-Chamberlain gallops with the ball and then blasts his shot just wide of the Reading goal. Arsenal seem to have picked up where they left off in the first half.

Encouraging run from Reading’s Jimmy Kebe down the right, but there is no one to meet his final cross.

CHANCE Reading survive a scare there! A low cross is sent in from the right that Cazorla looked to be just rolling into the Reading net, but Adrian Mariappa and Adam Federici manage to keep it out. Cazorla denied a hat-trick, but only just.

Podolski once again runs with the ball at his feet at the Reading defence but is eventually dispossessed by Kaspars Gorkss. The former Bayern Munich striker has looked very lively tonight and appears to be getting back into form.

Szczesny makes a good save from a fierce shot from Pogrebnyak taken from inside the Arsenal penalty box. The offside flag had gone up in any case. Reading are looking livelier in the second half, but they are lacking in quality upfront. And in defence!

Terrific play again from Arsenal, with Cazorla at the heart of another brilliant build-up. Walcott collects the ball around 20 yards from goal and lashes it at goal, only to see it go just wide of the mark.

Cazorla is on fire tonight - the best player on the pitch. He has looked very creative, inventive, has scored two goals and is creating chances for his teammates. A world class player!

That was one of the goals of the season anywhere in Europe! Wonderful, wonderful move from Arsenal. The interplay among the Arsenal players involve Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilshere and Podolski, whose final cross from the left is eased into the Reading net by Cazorla. Hat-trick for the Spaniard, his first in the Premier League.

SUBSTITUTION: Double change for Reading. Hal Robson-Kanu and Adam Le Fondre come on for Noel Hunt and Pavel Pogrebnyak respectively.

Walcott tries for goal again from just outside the Reading penalty box, but once more Federici parries it. The England international has been played down the middle tonight and he has looked good, but you can’t help but feel that he wants to score and increase his confidence.

Horrible, horrible defending there from Arsenal. Kieran Gibbs tries to play a square ball to Jack Wilshere, but it falls to Jay Tabb, who slices a brilliant pass to Le Fondre for the second-half substitute to round Szczesny and slot home with ease.

However, that should prove to be mere consolation for Reading, as I don’t see the home side building on that goal and taking the game to Arsenal, who have done enough to bag maximum points from this fixture.

Oh, my word! Reading have now scored their second goal of the match, just as I was writing them off! Arsenal are once again caught out, as Hal Robson-Kanu dribbles his way on to the edge of the Gunners penalty box and plays through Kebe, who makes it 2-0 with ease.

YELLOW CARD Wilshere gets into the referee’s book for a bad challenge on Kaspars Gorkss.

SUBSTITUTION: Change for Reading. Garath McCleary comes on for Jimmy Kebe.

CHANCE Arsenal break away and the ball once again falls to Cazorla, who shoots on goal but is denied by Federici, who parries the ball away.

SUBSTITUTION: Change for Arsenal. Aaron Ramsey replaces Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The game has become more interesting in the last few minutes. Arsenal have conceded two quick goals, and although they are still the dominant side, if Reading can find the net again, well, all hell could break loose!

Theo Walcott finally gets the goal he has been looking for all evening. But once again, it is Cazorla who is the architect-in-chief, as he rumbles towards the edge of the Reading penalty box and tees up Walcott, who slots home past Federici.

CHANCE Podolski goes for goal himself with a fierce shot from the left side of the Reading penalty area, but it goes narrowly wide.

SUBSTITUTION Another change for Arsenal. Manager Arsene Wenger brings on Francis Coquelin for Santi Cazorla, who goes off to a standing ovation from the travelling fans.

SUBSTITUTION Final change of the evening for the visitors. One of the goalscorers of the night, Theo Walcott, is replaced by Olivier Giroud, who now keeps up his record of appearing in every Premier League game this season.

That fifth goal from Arsenal has essentially killed off all hopes of a Reading comeback. To be fair, the Gunners were always in control and deserve to win tonight. And they have put on a performance tonight as well, and have bounced back in style from their humiliating defeat to League Two side Bradford City in the League Cup.

Podolski whips in a cross from the left with venom aiming for Giroud, but the Frenchman fails to get a clean touch on the ball. Still 5-2 to Arsenal.

Two minutes of normal time remaining at the Madejski Stadium. Arsenal have done enough to go back to London with a big smile and are just playing the game out.

Three minutes of injury time have been awarded. Three more minutes for Reading to endure, three more minutes for Arsenal to play out.

CHANCE Giroud gets another crack at goal as he finds himself at the end of a left-wing cross, but fails to keep his shot on target from close range.

CHANCE Another brilliant save from Federici, who gets to the ball first before Giroud and clears away from the danger from inside the Reading penalty area.

It’s all over at the Madejski Stadium as Arsenal have returned to winning ways in style with a comprehensive 5-2 victory over Reading. Lukas Podolski opened the scoring for the Gunners in the 14th minute, before Santi Cazorla completed his hat-trick by the hour-mark. Reading scored two quick goals thereafter through Adam Le Fondre and Jimmy Kebe, but Theo Walcott wrapped up the points for the visitors in the 80th minute with their fifth goal of the evening.

The result lifts Arsenal up to fifth in the Premier League table, two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Reading remain rooted to the foot of the standings with just nine points from 17 matches.

I hope that you enjoyed our live coverage of the match here on Sports Mole. Have a good night. It’s goodbye from me for now.