Twitter encouraged by Reading’s Ali Al-Habsi and Dominic Samuel

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Despite their EFL Cup defeat to Arsenal, Reading fans were impressed with their team’s performance – particularly young forward Dominic Samuel’s showing.

Arsenal comfortably saw off the challenge of Reading in their EFL Cup fourth round tie – with two goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sealing the 2-0 win for Arsene Wenger’s side.

England international Oxlade-Chamberlain opened the scoring after 33-minutes after a defensive mix-up by Reading and completed his brace in the second half – via a deflected effort at goal.

Reading manager Jaap Stam applauds fans after the game

Reading manager Jaap Stam can be pleased with his team’s offering though, as his Arsenal-esq passing style began to emerge as a pattern in the Royal’s performance at the Emirates Stadium.

Reading supporters on Twitter were also satisfied with their team’s performance, despite the loss, and appear to be particularly encouraged by young forward Dominic Samuel and goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.

Reading’s Ali Al Habsi makes a save from Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud

Al-Habsi has one of the highest pass success rates in the Championship, but on this occasion the Oman international’s distribution with the ball at his feet was poor. For the game’s opening goal Al-Habsi elected to play a short pass out from the back to defender Joey van den Berg – which led to a mistake that was pounced upon by the alert pressing of Oxlade-Chamberlain, who found the back of the Reading net.

However, Al-Habsi was also responsible for a string of fine saves throughout the encounter, including denying Arsenal’s French international Olivier Giroud and when preventing Oxlade-Chamberlain from securing his hat-trick. A feat that was not overlooked by Reading’s Twitter fans.

Reading’s Dominic Samuel in action with Arsenal’s Rob Holding

At the other end of the field, Dominic Samuel was deployed as a lone striker in what was to prove a tricky task for the 22-year-old. However, Samuel’s performance was highlighted for praise on Twitter by many fans – who are now calling for a more regular spot for the Reading academy graduate.

Jaap Stam and Reading will now look to progress with their high-intensity free-flowing game – as they focus on improving their league position and pushing on from their current standing of eight place in the Championship.