Yaya Sanogo struck a 19-minute hat-trick as our under-23s came from 2-0 down to run out 5-2 winners at Hogwood Park.
Mathieu Debuchy also got himself on the scoresheet, as did fellow defender Cohen Bramall.
The hosts had gone in front courtesy of an Andrija Novakovich strike in the second minute, before Jordan Holsgrove doubled the Royals’ advantage.
Debuchy halved the deficit before two Sanogo goals swung the game in our favour. Bramall then found the net for the first time in Arsenal colours before Sanogo rounded off the scoring.
SETTING THE SCENE
Steve Gatting handed a start to Ryan Huddart, with the goalkeeper lining up behind a defence of Carl Jenkinson, Debuchy, Rob Holding and Bramall.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Jeff Reine-Adelaide continued their midfield partnership, while Reiss Nelson started from the right with Chris Willock on the left.
Up front, first-team regular Alex Iwobi played at No 10 behind Sanogo.
FIRST HALF
Gatting’s side endured a slow start, as Novakovich gave the Royals an early lead when he found the net after just two minutes.
The poor opening exchanges worsened when Holsgrove added to the hosts’ advantage inside the opening half an hour.
Debuchy reduced Reading’s lead when he headed home from a corner shortly before the half-time interval.
SECOND HALF
Sanogo levelled the scores within seven minutes of the restart as we kick-started a dramatic second-half fightback.
The former France Under-21 international found the net again soon after, turning the game on its head and handing us the lead with 23 minutes remaining.
Bramall then opened his account by finding the net after surging forward down the left flank.
The result was put beyond doubt when Sanogo completed the scoring by completing his hat-trick in the 71st minute.
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