Reading doomed, Arsenal ascend.

"You can only beat the opposition put in front of you", goes the old saying. But Arsenal did it with a panache and style as they thrashed Reading 5-2 at the Madejski. They have creativity and goals all over the park.

Wenger and McDermott are at opposite ends of fortune

So Jonny asks, "Crisis, What Crisis?". Instead, it's more apt for Reading who look deep in the mire.

If you're bottom at Christmas, only once has that team ever avoided the relegation trapdoor. For Reading,  they're the only team yet to break into points double figures.

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Brian McDermott: then and now

Brian McDermott, though just an Arsenal fringe player pricked my Aston Villa supporting bubble twice during our glory years of the early eighties.

Now: Brian McDermott on the Royals touchline

He scored one of the Gunners goals on the final day of the 1980/81 to inflict defeat on us at Highbury. Luckily, it wasn't enough to stop Villa becoming champions that day.

He was also on the scoresheet as the Gunners ended an eleven-month unbeaten run at Villa Park. Tony Woodcock struck the other FIVE as dumbstruck European Champions Villa were smashed 6-2. It was the beginning of our end as a major force.

Then: as an Arsenal starlet

But maybe McDermott's greatest moment in football is reserved for steering Reading to a shock 1-nil win at Everton to reach the last eight of the FA Cup. Remember it was Everton who did for the cup holders, Chelsea in the previous round.

And Reading face Aston Villa in the next round. Let's hope he doesn't make a habit of slaying us again.

But he don't 'alf look different today! Presented to the media after beating the Toffees was a bald man with glasses; not the silky-skilled, mop-haired youngster of old. Two pictures for your Soccermongery delectation. The Then and Now of Maccy D!

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