JOIN USSpanish playmaker Santi Cazorla scored a hat-trick as Arsenal stylishly dismantled bottom club Reading 5-2 to move up to fifth in the Premier League on Monday.
Arsenal, under pressure following their humiliating League Cup defeat at Bradford last week, produced an impressive attacking performance.
Germany forward Lukas Podolski put Arsenal ahead after 14 minutes while Cazorla scored twice in the first half and once after the break as the visitors ran riot.
Adam Le Fondre grabbed what looked like a consolation before Jimmy Kebe briefly stirred the home fans to believe in an unlikely comeback before Theo Walcott wrapped up the match. Arsenal now have 27 points from 17 games, two behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth and 15 behind leaders Manchester United. Reading stay bottom with nine points.
Podolski took a touch and fired left-footed into the net for his fifth Premier League goal of the season. It was only a matter of time before Arsenal grabbed a second and on 32 minutes Podolski turned provider, darting down the left flank and curling in a cross that found Cazorla arriving in the centre unmarked to head past Federici.
Cazorla's second was another example of poor Reading defending. Full back Kieran Gibbs headed a Podolski cross back into the danger zone and Cazorla found space to swivel in the area and score with a volley that bounced up off the ground and into the net.
The Spaniard's hat-trick arrived when swept home from close range.
Le Fondre grabbed a goal back on 66 before Kebe latched onto a throughball and slotted home with 19 minutes still to play. Walcott added a fifth 10 minutes from time.