Gunners best on the planet, says Kitson

TOTTENHAM fan Dave Kitson could not help but be impressed by the way Arsenal took Reading apart at the Madejski Stadium — and hailed Arsene Wenger’s men as the “best on the planet”.

The Royals were swept aside 3-1 in front of their own fans as the Gunners moved back to the top of the Premier League on Monday night.

It was at times a blistering display of passing football, with Arsenal’s second goal — their 1,000th in the Premier League — summing up the philosophy of a free-flowing game as Emmanuel Adebayor provided a quality finish to another text-book counter-attack.

Kitson said: “They are without doubt the best footballing team on the planet right now. It’s absolutely phenomenal stuff.

“The thing that amazes you most is they are not just passing to each other — they are passing so that person can run on to the ball and then his mind is already made up with what he is going to do next.

“What I would say about Arsenal is they are not reliant on one, two, three even four people. They all kind of chip in, and I thought they had another couple of gears to go.”

It is hardly an assessment which might come easily from a Spurs supporter.

But Kitson, 27, added: “For a Tottenham fan to say this is ‘blasphemy’ — but you hope that a team who play as well as that win something, and that approach is justified.

“With Manchester United and Chelsea, it will be close at the end of the season — and that is what everyone wants to see.

“But Arsene Wenger must be licking his lips — because there is just silverware here on in for Arsenal.”

Arsenal are now unbeaten for 27 consecutive matches, stretching back to last season. Royals boss Steve Coppell accepted his men had just simply come up against an “elite” side — for whom they were no match on the night.

Togo striker Adebayor — heralded by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as having the qualities of an old-fashioned English centre-forward — ended an eight-game goal drought with his fine strike at the start of the second half. Kitson sees Wenger’s faith in the gangly African as another shrewd move.

“When that money came in from Barcelona for Henry, Wenger must have been looking at it and looking at Adebayor and thinking it was Christmas,” the said.

“He had a player waiting there for his chance, and the unbelievable thing is that he probably won’t even spend the money.

“Just looking at Adebayor as a technician and as a football player, that is what every striker should aspire to. He is just fantastic.

“Arsenal have one major injury in (Robin) van Persie, and they don’t even look as if they are missing him. Adebayor plays up front on his own — and he is almost like two strikers up there.”

Cesc Fabregas produced another commanding display in central midfield — although the 20-year-old picked up a needless caution late on, which will see him serve a one-match ban.

Kitson feels the Spaniard can “only get better”.

“It is not even fair that a kid that young can have so much talent,” quipped the Reading striker.

“Fabregas is world class already, and that is a hell of a statement.”

Adebayor believes the manner of Arsenal’s victory at Reading will have sent a strong message to Manchester United that Arsene Wenger’s men are in the title race.

“We wanted to stay ahead of Manchester (United) and show them we are strong — and we have done that.

“It is a long title race — and it’s where you are at the end of the season. But we are happy with how things are going.”