Arsenal go into the game against Reading knowing all three points are an absolute must as they look to find their way back into the top four of the English Premier League.
The Gunners are currently four points behind Tottenham, who are fourth, but have a game in hand and need to make every single one of their last nine games count to ensure their place in the Champions League next season.
Arsenal have bounced back from a poor run, winning their last two games against Bayern Munich and Swansea in impressive fashion, but Mikel Arteta believes Reading, who are fighting against relegation, will prove to be equally tough opponents.
"Every game is very different," he told the club's official website. "When the other team is trying to attack and are more open, there are more gaps to play through.
"Sometimes we play teams that come here (to Emirates Stadium) and drop. Between the lines, it's very difficult to pass, so you have to go around. This can be an explanation because when there's no room, you have to be patient and make more passes that won't show great progress in the stats, but are important to keep the team moving.
"You're always going to have people playing through the lines, but people are prepared and teams are getting better and better. If you analyse the stats in the Premier League this year, more than any other year there are less passes between the midfielders and the defense. That's a case of teams getting better tactically.
"I think it's important (to analyse the statistics). You can just look at the statistics, but I think when there is something repetitive about a team, that's interesting. I think you can take the positives and the negatives of that team and everything you can use to make the difference nowadays is important."
Arsenal have a few injury worries, with Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott ruled out along with Abou Diaby, who will be sidelined for nine months. Kieran Gibbs is also a doubt, but Lukas Podolski and Bacary Sagna have been passed fit after the duo missed out on the last couple of games.
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Expected lineups: Arsenal: Fabianski; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Arteta; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud.
Reading: Taylor; Kelly, Pearce, Mariappa, Shorey; Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Robson-Kanu, McCleary; Le Fondre.
Prediction: 4-1 to Arsenal
