Sanchez ends goal drought as Arsenal beat QPR

A week ago Arsenal suffered one of the worst nights in Europe in the club's history. A week later they took on a very different opposition in the form of relegation threatened QPR. The hosts made life difficult for us in the first half but we came alive in the second as goals from Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez sealed all three points despite Charlie Austin's late goal. The win means we remain in third position in the league table with the battle for the top four hotting up. At one point it looked as though we were going to extend our lead over Manchester United but a late goal in their game over Newcastle saw them keep the gap to just one point between them in fourth and us in third. Changes were expected and Wenger obliged. Tomas Rosicky came in for Oxlade-Chamberlain whilst Mertesacker returned to the starting line-up in place of Koscielny. Ramsey was back amongst the subs whilst Monreal missed out through a slight back strain and Szczesny through illness.

Sanchez returned to form against QPR

Arsenal had taken a while to get going against Everton at the weekend and the story was similar against QPR. I wouldn't say it was one of the worst halves of football I've seen from us this season but without the likes of Welbeck, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott in the starting XI we lacked pace. For that reason it probably explains why we lacked any energy in the first half and why it was a very uneventful 45 minutes to start the game off. The hosts weren't afraid to battle and they did make life hard for the defence at times. Gabriel had to go off early with an injury, but up to then Charlie Austin and Bobby Zamora had done very well at physicalising the forward line for QPR. They acted as focal points from with which they held the ball up well and kept us out the game. Because of the lack of pace it meant that when we got the ball we didn't have anyone to really drive the team forward. Ozil is a very good player but sometimes his transitional play can be quite slow compared to the quicker and more livelier players in the side.

Now I'm not criticising Ozil there because I thought he had a very good game. Most of his play looked effortless and the majority of the attacks seemed to flow through him in the final third. The attacking players can be accused a little in the first half of not getting at their man enough and the only player that really did test their fullbacks was Hector Bellerin. Bellerin I thought was outstanding and he is quickly becoming a key player in this side; so much so that I think he'll keep Debuchy out of the team when he returns from injury.

It was when we finally got players at their back line that we eventually scored. Alexis Sanchez's second half performance was brilliant compared to the first, and when he got up against the young Furlong at right back we looked very dangerous. It was down that left hand side that both our goals came from. Kieran Gibbs was very lively in attack and he assisted each goal. His ball was blocked inside the penalty area and then Olivier Giroud was left with a simple task of finding the net from a matter of yards out for the first. The Frenchman's form in front of goal, excusing Monaco, has been brilliant since the turn of the year.

As mentioned Alexis Sanchez had a very good second half, and he was to score what proved to be the winning goal. Moments before his strike, he looked to have squandered a chance to put the game to bed. Giroud dispossessed Hill and the Chilean ran in on goal before attempting to square it to Ozil. Sanchez had taken too long however and Green was there to thwart him. If there was ever a sense of doubt over Alexis' quality he answered it minutes later. He had gone eight games without a goal until now but he didn't show any indication of that when he did indeed find the back of the net. Gibbs layed the ball into him and then he performed a mazy run into the penalty area before wrong-footing the keeper at his near post.

Arsenal's defence had gone relatively untroubled and it was only Charlie Austin who was really causing a threat. It was indeed Austin who found a way back for QPR, albeit a mere consolation in the end. He had shown on numerous occasions that he had the capabilities to shoot from range and we failed to close him down which resulted in a powerful effort beating Ospina. Similarly to the game against Palace it was disappointing to concede late on but thankfully we managed to hold on for a crucial three points.

Francis Coquelin played with a mask after passing doubts over whether he would feature after breaking his nose against Everton. That didn't seem to upset his rhythm though as he had another fine game in front of the back four.

Aaron Ramsey came off the bench late on which was encouraging and it would be a real bonus now if he could find some form after returning from injury. It is worth noting the quality of the Arsenal bench last night; the likes of Welbeck, the Ox, Walcott and of course Ramsey were all on it.

Our next game is arguably our biggest of the season; a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. It's a massive clash and because the game is on Monday night we have quite a bit of time to recover after our midweek exploits at Loftus Road. Our games against United in recent season's have been awful from our point of view but the fact we're one of the most inform sides in the League should give us encouragement to go there and get a result. Fingers crossed!

The team's line-ups:

QPR: Green, Furlong, Caulker, Onuoha(45), Yun, Phillips, Sandro(56), Henry, Hoilett(72), Austin, Zamora.
Subs: McCarthy, Hill(45), Isla(72), Kranjcar(56), Wright-Phillips, Vargas, Zarate.

Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel(36), Gibbs, Coquelin, Cazorla, Rosicky(86), Sanchez, Ozil(90), Giroud.
Subs: Martinez, Koscielny(36), Chambers, Ramsey(86), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Welbeck(90).

My man of the match: Hector Bellerin.

Referee: Kevin Friend.
Attendance: 17,977

Arsenal record win over QPR despite Giroud red card

Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Tomas Rosicky meant Arsenal came away with all three points against QPR on Boxing Day despite a ridiculous red card for Olivier Giroud and a missed penalty. It was a fairly comfortable display until the red, but the Gunners still managed to score with 10 men. It was a penalty for QPR that changed the momentum of the game as after Charlie Austin slammed home from the spot it left for another nervy finish. Unlike against Liverpool though we managed to hang on for an important three points. The Gunners made two changes from the draw at Anfield at the weekend as Monreal replaced Chambers in defence whilst Rosicky made his first start of the campaign in place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Arsenal's goal scorers celebrate

It was fair to say that Arsenal dominated the first halves display against QPR at the Emirates on Friday evening. It was a hugely improved performance in terms of ball retention from the game against Liverpool but so it should be against a team that hasn't won away from home all season. Harry Redknapp's side were intent on sitting back and making it as hard as possible for us to break them down. We did seem to break them down on numerous occasions but very few of those chances led to a goal. We almost had the perfect start too as early on former Gunner Traore slid in on Alexis and gave away a penalty. However it was a tame penalty from the man who won it as Green saved relatively easy. It begged the question as to why Cazorla, who had scored a penalty against Stoke and Newcastle didn't take.

However Sanchez was to avenge his penalty miss by scoring and assisting. It was a typical determined display from the Chilean who found the net through a well directed header from close range after a ball in from Gibbs. He managed to drag us out of tight situations a few times and that led to the second goal. He broke away brilliantly, dragging three defenders with him before sliding the ball into the path of Rosicky to fire home. It was an overall display from Arsenal that typified them this season but the three points were absolutely vital in what is such a busy festive period.

Tomas Rosicky has been out in the wilderness rather this season, through injury and being stuck on the bench but he certainly made his mark with his goal. He linked up well with Cazorla and drove us forward going well, adding massively to our play. I know I've said this numerous times, and so have many others but it is remarkable how he is 34 years of age. Despite just returning he already looks as though he could play a vital part in the second half of this season, just as he did in 2013/14.

The defence didn't have a lot to do and therefore Nacho Monreal's inclusion at centre half didn't really worry me. The penalty decision on Debuchy was a little controversial but thankfully it didn't cost us. We were a lot more resolute in defence from last time out which was encouraging. That's not to say that Laurent Koscielny's return can't come quick enough!

Between the two Arsenal goals a moment of madness ensued. Olivier Giroud reacted badly to what looked like a push from Onuoha into the goalkeeper and he was consequently sent off for a slight headbut. Although it didn't cause any damage it was violent conduct and there were no excuses for such a moment of stupidity. What's especially annoying is that he was starting to find some form and will now miss our next three games. Three vitally important games against West Ham and Southampton who are both ahead of us, and also Hull City in the Cup.

With such a busy period it is important we rotate a little. I agree that will be a difficult task considering our injury situation, and the importance of the games but we can't afford some of the players to burn out. Giroud's suspension will probably allow Podolski some game time, and judging by his record against West Ham we don't have anything to worry about in that sense. It'll be a tough, yet very interesting end to 2014 and start to 2015.

The team's line-ups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Rosicky(83), Sanchez, Welbeck(87), Giroud.
Subs: Ospina, Chambers(83), Bellerin, Coquelin(87), Campbell, Walcott, Podolski.

QPR: Green, Isla, Caulker, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Traore(62), Henry(72), Kranjcar, Mutch(71), Vargas, Austin.
Subs: McCarthy, Hill, Fer(62), Wright-Phillips, Phillips, Hoilett(62), Zamora(71).

My man of the match: Alexis Sanchez.

Referee: Martin Atkinson.
Attendance: 59,947.

Early Walcott goal seals win over QPR

A very early Theo Walcott strike was enough to seal all three points for Arsenal last Saturday, the 4th May, as they put in an unconvincing performance to beat already relegated QPR. The win meant the Gunners returned to winning ways having drawn with Man United previously and also extended their unbeaten run to eight games. This run was key in the Gunners hopes for Champions League football but with Spurs drawing with Chelsea the day after, everything was still to play for. The team line-up for the match saw just one change as Nacho Monreal replaced Gibbs. Lukas Podolski once more got a chance to show the manager what he's made of up front.

Wojciech Szczesny returned to form as Arsenal beat QPR

It was a very lively start for the Gunners as on only 20 seconds they were ahead. Arteta split the defence and found Walcott who fired home via the post.

With the game having gone quiet for a while, Theo Walcott sprung to life to almost score his second of the afternoon. However the post was in the way to deny him.

QPR's first chance fell minutes later on 27 minutes as Park found space to work a shot but blazed it over the bar.

Park was to then get another chance but this time it was closed down well and the shot bounced out for a corner.

The hosts were now starting to find their game and Ben Haim then tried a shot from range but Szczesny was equal to it.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

Arsenal were proving to be very wasteful and if it wasn't for Szczesny then Loic Remy would've scored two goals. The first almost found the head of the Frenchman but the goalkeeper managed to claw it away. The second was more straight forward as it was straight at Szczesny

Townsend was the next player to trouble the Arsenal goal as he drove a shot from distance but it was kept out once again.

It then summed up the performance as Laurent Koscielny had Arsenal's first shot since Walcott's strike against the post in the first half. 

Santi Cazorla who hadn't really been in the game then tried his luck at goal. Rob Green was in the way though and he stopped the Spaniard's swerving shot from going in.

Arsenal were desperately looking for that two goal cushion as Walcott then went close after out muscling Ben Haim in the air and then having a shot saved at the near post.

In the dying minutes of the game QPR almost grabbed an equaliser. Loic Remy fired a shot which was curling inside the far post but Szczesny sprawled across his goal to make a brilliant save.

The final score finished QPR 0-1 Arsenal.

The team's lineups:

QPR: Green, Onuoha, Hill, Ben Haim, Traore(90), Park(79), Jenas, Mbia(46), Townsend, Remy, Zamora.
Subs: Murphy, Derry(46), Fabio(90), Granero, Taarabt(79), Mackie, Bothroyd.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky(90), Cazorla(89), Walcott, Podolski(85).
Subs: Mannone, Vermaelen(90), Jenkinson, Coquelin, Wilshere(89), Oxlade-Chamberlain(85), Gervinho. 

My man of the match: Wojciech Szczesny

Referee: Jon Moss
Attendance: 18,178

Wilshere returns as Arteta grabs late winner

Jack Wilshere returned to first team action as he started for the first time in 14 months, as Arsenal beat QPR 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates thanks to a late goal from Mikel Arteta. Arsenal showed glimpses of being back to their old selves as they got 3 vital points having lost their last Premier League game but still struggled in front of goal. The Gunners cause was helped by a sending off to Mbia which meant Arsenal found room to grab that all important goal. It had been a tough week for Arsenal but a far from convincing win against bottom of the table QPR rose spirits a tiny bit. Aswell as the returning Jack Wilshere who came in for Gervinho who was dropped to the bench, Bacary Sagna returned from injury and played for the first time this season as he came in for Jenkinson.

Arteta bundled the ball into the net late on to win the game for Arsenal

The first chance of the game was created by Andre Santos as he got down the left hand side before trying to pick out Giroud but the ball deflected off a defender and Cesar made the save.

Arsenal's first clear cut opportunity fell to Ramsey as Sagna crossed the ball into the box and the Welshman's header struck the cross bar.

Giroud then did have a chance to test Cesar as he turned and then tried to pick out a cross. The ball was blocked though and at the second time Giroud shot from a tight angle but it was an easy save for the goalkeeper.

Gunners fans then got to see signs of what they'd been missing from a certain Jack Wilshere, as he combined with Cazorla before hitting a shot from the edge of the area, which was spilled by Cesar but then gobbled up at the second attempt.

Arsenal were having all the play and Giroud was allowed to test Cesar again as he let fly from the left hand side but the QPR goalkeeper got down well to it.

Just before the break Santos found space on the left hand side after Wilshere had played the ball out to him. The Brazilian then brought the ball onto his weaker foot but Cesar was once again in the way of the shot.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first opportunity of the second half went Arsenal's way. Arteta delivered a ball in from the free-kick and Mertesacker managed to glance a header towards goal but was denied by an inspired Julio Cesar.

It was a second half of few chances but with more or less 15 minutes to play Santi Cazorla had a great chance to put the Gunners ahead. The ball fell to him 12 yards from goal but he skied the shot over the bar.

A few minutes later, QPR found themselves in trouble as Vermaelen went shoulder to shoulder with Mbia and then brought him down, but the Cameroonion then kicked out at the Arsenal skipper and was sent off.

With 7 minutes left to play Arsenal finally got the goal they deserved and had finally put one past Cesar. Andrey Arshavin did well on the left to beat his man and then pick out Giroud, whose header was clawed away by Cesar, and then after hitting the bar with his first effort, Mikel Arteta tapped home for the winner.

However, the game wasn't finished there and the Gunners kept plugging away as Cesar denied a driven effort from Ramsey shortly after the goal and then a curling effort from Cazorla.

In the last minute of the game QPR had their best chance of the afternoon as the ball was played into Granero but he dragged his shot wide.

Into injury time and Jamie Mackie almost scored a brilliant goal as he took the ball past 3 Arsenal players before breaking into the penalty area and firing straight at Mannone. 

The final score finished Arsenal 1-0 QPR.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Arteta, Wilshere(67), Cazorla, Ramsey, Podolski(71), Giroud.
Subs: Martinez, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Arshavin(82), Walcott(67), Gervinho(71)(82).

QPR: Cesar, Bosingwa, Nelsen, Mbia, Traore(73), Diakite, Granero, Wright-Phillips(79), Taarabt, Hoilett, Zamora(73).
Subs: Green, Ferdinand, Onuoha(73), Faurlin, Ephraim, Mackie(79), Cisse(73). 

My man of the match: Mikel Arteta

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 60,103

Winning run ends as QPR defeat Gunners

Arsenal's seven match winning run in the League finally came to an end on Saturday afternoon as Queens Park Rangers defeated the Gunners 2-1 at Loftus Road. It was not a game in which you would expect Arsenal to slip up in, especially after seven straight wins but with Ramsey playing out wide the game didn't have much width and Vermaelen having a pretty bad game in defence it looked like the Arsenal side that we saw play so terribly at the begining of the season. Arsenal's cause wasn't helped by Adel Taarabt who opened the scoring and was having his best game this season. However despite Walcott's goal before half time, Diakite scored just after the hour mark to give QPR a crucial three points in their battle to stay in the League. Arsenal made two changes for the London derby as Aaron Ramsey was played out of position at left midfield in place of Gervinho who was on the bench whilst Koscielny, who missed the Villa game with injury, replaced Djourou in the centre of defence.

Theo Walcott has started to regain his form towards the end of the season

The first chance of the game came from a Robin Van Persie free-kick. The Dutchman hit a low shot under the wall which almost found the bottom corner of the net but for Kenny in the QPR goal.

The hosts first chance also came from a free-kick. Adel Taarabt swung in a ball which found the head of Zamora who could only manage to put his opportunity over the crossbar.

Zamora then got another chance as he found room on the edge of the penalty area before firing a shot which was comfortably saved by Szczesny.

However on 22 minutes, Rangers took the lead. The ball was played forward from the back into the path of Taarabt who easily turned Vermaelen before going through on goal and slotting the ball past Szczesny for his first goal of the season.

8 minutes before half time, Arsenal equalised. Van Persie managed to poke the ball through to Walcott who then hit a shot which rebounded back off the post and then back to him for an easy finish from close range.

Aaron Ramsey then came close to giving the Gunners the lead as he picked up the ball on the edge of the area before striking a shot which went inches wide of the far post.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Shortly after the break, Kieran Gibbs came close to adding his second goal in as many games as Sagna's cross found him at the back post but his header bounced wide of Kenny's goal.

Van Persie, who had not scored in his last two games, then had a brilliant chance as he latched onto Song's ball but Paddy Kenny raced out of his goal to thwart the Premier League's top goal scorer.

Six minutes after the hour mark, Queens Park Rangers were back in front. Vermaelen slipped on the edge of the area which allowed Mackie to take advantage as he got into the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Diakite to smash the ball home.

Arsenal replied immediately with a chance to equalise as Rosicky drove a shot from outside the area but it lacked any power meaning Kenny made a comfortable save.

It was a game in which QPR deserved their lead and were denied late on as they looked to extend their grip on the game as Joey Barton's fierce effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Szczesny.

The final score finished QPR 2-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

QPR: Kenny, Onuoha, Hill, Ferdinand, Taiwo, Derry, Diakite, Barton, Taarabt, Mackie, Zamora(90).
Subs: Cerny, Gabbidon, Young, Wright-Phillips(90), Buzsaky, Campbell, Bothroyd.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs(82), Song, Arteta(81), Ramsey(69), Rosicky, Walcott, Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Santos, Benayoun, Gervinho(69), Oxlade-Chamberlain(81), Chamakh(82).

My man of the match: Theo Walcott

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 18,033

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