Van Persie goal fires Arsenal into fourth

Robin Van Persie scored his 35th goal of 2011 to help Arsenal grab a 1-0 victory over QPR at the Emirates in their last game of the year on New Years Eve. Robin Van Persie's goal came on the hour mark as they got what they deserved in a hard fought match against the team that won the Championship last season. The win came on the back of a deal which would see former Gunners hero Thierry Henry return to the club on a two month loan. The match saw the return to the starting lineup for Walcott and Ramsey as they came in for Benayoun and Rosicky. Another change saw Gervinho dropped to the bench in place of Andrey Arshavin who started a Premier League game for the first time in five weeks. Armand Traore was in the QPR lineup playing against his old club.

Van Persie ended the year on a high as he fired the Gunners into fouth place

The first chance of the match came in the opening minutes but it fell to the visiting team QPR, as Jay Bothroyd cut inside from the right and then drove a shot from outside the box but it was easily saved by Szczesny.

Arsenal's first chance fell to their top scorer, Van Persie. Ramsey floated the ball in towards the far post and onto the head of Van Persie, however he was unbalanced and headed wide.

Djourou created the Gunners next chance as he roamed forward from right back and then fed Van Persie. He got into the penalty area and then got past Young before firing the ball over the oncoming Rangers keeper and over the bar.

Van Persie then found himself with another chance as Vermaelen looped a ball over the QPR defence and into the path of the Arsenal captain. However on the volley, the Dutchman's shot dipped just over the bar.

The Gunners were dominating, just as they had done against Wolves in midweek. Another chance came and went as a corner eventually came out to Ramsey on the edge of the area who struck a volley which had to be headed off the line by Barton to stop Arsenal from taking the lead.

Arteta then created a chance for himself as he hit a fierce shot from range which Cerny had to beat away.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first real chance of the second half was a great opportunity as Walcott raced clear of the defence and went through on goal but missed the target.

Arsenal then finally took one of their chances as Van Persie gave the Gunners the lead to pass Thierry Henry's record of goals in a calendar year. The ball was given away to Arshavin who then slipped the ball into the path of Van Persie who fired past the goalkeeper.

Gervinho was then presented with a great chance to double the Gunners lead. Van Persie outmuscled the defender before playing the ball into Gervinho but he slid the ball wide from not very far out.

The final score finished Arsenal 1-1 QPR.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen(54), Song, Ramsey, Arteta, Walcott(74), Arshavin(68), Van Persie.
Subs: Almunia, Coquelin(54), Rosicky(68), Benayoun, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho(74), Chamakh.

QPR: Cerny, Young, Gabbidon, Connolly, Traore(78), Wright-Phillips, Barton, Taarabt, Faurlin, Mackie(74), Bothroyd(64).
Subs: Murphy, Orr(78), Hill, Derry, Smith(74), Helguson, Campbell(64).

My man of the match: Andrey Arshavin

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 60,076