Arsenal increased Reading's relegation worries with a comfortable victory.

Arsene Wenger's side outclassed Reading and went ahead after 30 minutes when Emmanuel Adebayor slid home a calm finish from Kolo Toure's cross.

Gilberto Silva added a second before half-time when his long-range shot deflected in off Andre Bikey.

Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott struck the woodwork and Michael Duberry cleared off the line from Cesc Fabregas after the break as Arsenal dominated.

606: DEBATE
We should have scored at least 5

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It was only Arsenal's second win in nine Premier League games - a damning statistic that tells the tale of how their title challenge has faded away.

Arsenal gave Walcott a rare start after his impressive displays as a substitute - and he played his part in a first-half display that swept Reading aside.

Royals boss Steve Coppell made six changes from the side that slumped to fellow strugglers Fulham, but they were powerless to stop an Arsenal side playing without the pressure of chasing trophies.

Arsenal created and wasted a host of chances before finally taking the lead through Adebayor after 30 minutes.

Toure was the creator with a cross, but Adebayor took a clever first touch before sliding a precise finish beyond Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann.

And the advantage was deservedly doubled eight minutes later when Gilberto's long-range shot beat Hahnemann via Andre Bikey's head.

There was still time for Hahnemann to save well from Toure and Gilberto before the half-time whistle spared Reading further punishment.

Arsenal continued to dominate after the break, but failed to make quick additions to their goals tally because of their occasionally infuriating habit of passing themselves to death rather than punishing the opposition.

Reading captain Graeme Murty was furious just after the hour when he was felled by Alexander Hleb's flailing hand, but the incident went unnoticed by referee Peter Walton.

Van Persie was desperately unlucky after 71 minutes when he curled a stunning left-foot free-kick against the woodwork from 20 yards.

And seconds later Walcott was denied when he shot against the bar with Hahnemann beaten.

Reading almost gave Arsenal an anxious moment with 13 minutes left when Bobby Convey took advantage of slack defending, but Jens Lehmann turned his effort over the top.

But normal service was swiftly resumed and Reading substitute Michael Duberry did well to scramble back and clear off the line from Fabregas.