Arsenal 2 Reading 0:  Free from pressure and expectation, Arsenal made light work of Reading at the Emirates Stadium, in a match that served only to keep Steve Coppell's side in the relegation dogfight.

In fact, Coppell appeared resigned to defeat to Arsene Wenger's side as he rested a number players in anticipation of six-pointers with Wigan and Derby.

Regardless of who began the game, however, there would have only been one winner with the Gunners in this form, though they succumbed to their usual failing of not taking enough chances.

As it was, first half goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Gilberto Silva sealed the win.

Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott struck the woodwork in the second half and Marcus Hahnemann was repeatedly called into action as the home side, with little to play for, rediscovered their style to record only their second win in nine Premier League games.

Arsenal started well and carved open the Reading defence when Alexander Hleb released Cesc Fabregas through the middle, but his touch was heavy and the ball rolled on into the grateful arms of Royals keeper Marcus Hahnemann.

The Gunners continued to press, and Van Persie's centre picked out Adebayor in the six-yard box, but the leading scorer could only plant a disappointing header wide.

The Gunners were in full flow, with Walcott causing havoc down the right with his run to the goal-line and cut-back which was hacked clear.

Arsenal eventually took the lead on the half-hour.

Kolo Toure floated a lovely ball over to the edge of the penalty area from the right.

Adebayor collected it on his thigh, before coolly slotting low past Hahnemann for his 27th goal of the season.

Arsenal deserved their advantage, and for once looked calm in possession having scored - a trait which deserted them in recent weeks and proved so costly against Chelsea, last week at United and, in the Champions League, versus Liverpool.

On 38 minutes, when a deflected effort from Gilberto made it 2-0. His 20-yard strike was on target, but it cannoned off the head of Andre Bikey and flew past a wrong-footed Hahnemann into the top left corner.

The American was kept busy as half-time approached, again saving well at his near post to deny Van Persie and Toure.

Just after the hour, in an off the ball incident not spotted by referee Peter Walton, Hleb appeared to catch Graeme Murty in the face with his open hand — which left the Royals skipper fuming.

Arsenal were, nevertheless, in cruise control and Walcott was denied by a good interception from Liam Rosenior and then a crude challenge from Ibrahim Sonko.

Van Persie smashed the free-kick against the underside of the crossbar, then the right-hand post, but somehow it stayed out. Moments later, Walcott saw his curling effort also come back off the bar, as Hahnemann watched.

Reading finally managed an effort on goal when Bobby Convey's drive was beaten away by Lehmann but Arsenal were not to be denied.