Arsenal moved to within two points of the top four courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers in their Boxing Day clash at the Emirates.
Alexis Sanchez missed an early penalty for the Gunners, but atoned for his error later in the half by opening the scoring with a diving header.
Olivier Giroud handed QPR a route back into the match with a red card less than 10 minutes after the break, but Tomas Rosicky gave his side a cushion with a second goal.
The visitors pushed for a way back into the match and halved the deficit when Charlie Austin slammed a penalty home, but Arsenal held out in the closing stages to claim all three points.
Read how all of the action unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the late Boxing Day kickoff as Arsenal host Queens Park Rangers at the Emirates. Both sides are in desperate need of a victory for very different reasons and suffered contrasting emotions due to late goals last time out, so we should be in for an intriguing match today. Let's start with a look at the hosts in this London derby...
It has been a disappointing first half to the season for Arsene Wenger's side, with the Gunners sitting outside the top four at Christmas. It was always expected to be a competitive race for a Champions League spot this season, but very few of the usual challengers have really excelled so far. Arsenal certainly fall into that category, but their saving grace is that the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton have also struggled.
They started today four points off the top four, and the good news for Wenger is that, as things stand, it looks likely that his side will close that gap to two points with a victory. West Ham were beaten by leaders Chelsea in the day's early kickoff, while Southampton hold and comfortable lead over Crystal Palace and would replace the Hammers in the top four if they can see out the victory. The Gunners wouldn't move up from sixth, but they would close the gap on those Champions League places.
There have been a number of highs and lows for Arsenal already this season, as there appear to be every year at the club. Those hoping for a title challenge saw their dreams dashed pretty early on by an indifferent start and Chelsea sweeping all before them, but despite battling a lot of injuries they have still booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League and are still very much in with a shout of a top-four finish. Many clubs would give a lot to be in that position right now.
The injuries they have suffered will be a big factor for Wenger, who is likely to be fairly content with this current place in the league having been so ravaged. Detractors would have a point in arguing that it is a problem partially of his own doing having failed to sign more defenders in the summer, but under the circumstances the Frenchman has dealt well, despite a few low points. As his players return to fitness in the second half of the campaign, it is hard to see Arsenal do anything other than improve.
The Gunners have actually only lost one of their last seven games in all competitions, although that was the 3-2 defeat to Stoke. Performances haven't been great in that time, but they are still managing to dig results out, which is important. Not many teams would have been able to play as badly as they did against Liverpool at Anfield and still come away with a point - so nearly three. They come into this one unbeaten in their last three games, scoring 10 goals in the process following that defeat to Stoke.
They will be particularly pleased at returning to North London, where they have been a formidable force over the last year or so in the Premier League. Only Manchester United last month have beaten the Gunners at the Emirates since the opening day of the 2013-14 campaign, a run that stretches back 26 matches. They have also won their last three home games in all competitions, conceding just one goal in the process.
Defensively there are plenty of issues for Arsene Wenger to address, however, with his side not having enough depth to cover for injuries, and those who are fit making too many mistakes. Only Chelsea and Manchester City have scored more goals in the league this season, but when you look at Mertesacker ducking out the way of Skrtel's late header against Liverpool, it is clear that something is not quite right at the back for Arsenal. They have conceded 21 times in their 17 matches this season, and Wenger simply has to strengthen at the back in January.
QPR may be 10 places worse off than Arsenal coming into this match, but they will certainly fancy their chances of getting at this Arsenal defence. The R's have been in good goalscoring form recently and, while there are major issues for Harry Redknapp still to address, the fact that they have now climbed out of the relegation zone should provide them with a bit more impetus to go out and get results.
Their most recent outing is a prime example of the character and fight the club need to stay in this division this season, coming back from two goals down to win 3-2 against West Brom courtesy of a Charlie Austin hat-trick at Loftus Road. They have shown similar attributes against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea already this season, but all of those have come at home, and therein lies the crux of why Redknapp's side are still only two points clear of the bottom three.
QPR's form on the road has been nothing short of woeful, with all 17 of their points this season coming at Loftus Road. Their performances at home have been superb at times, but they are such a Jekyll & Hyde team that they can't seem to reproduce those in their away games. They have lost nine out of nine matches on their travels in all competitions this season and have only scored three goals and conceded 20 in the Premier League. All of those are the worst records in the division, and QPR simply must improve.
If they don't improve that form then, while they are currently in a position of safety, they will find it very tough to avoid the drop this season. Of course, the bulk of the points for a struggling club are expected to come at home, but you have to chip in with the odd victory away from home too. It is an issue that Redknapp urgently needs to address, and victory this evening would be some way to do that.
Another glaring problem for the Hoops comes at the back, much like Arsenal. No side has conceded more in the Premier League than QPR this season, so have shipped 32 in 17 games. In response, only 11th-placed Everton had scored more goals in the bottom half at the start of the day, but QPR's tally of 20 goals is still not enough to wipe out their poor defensive record. It would not be a surprise to see Redknapp join Wenger in the market for a defender this January.
Only bottom-placed Leicester City have lost more games than QPR this season, but when looking at their overall form going into this match, their home record means that it is not too bad. They have won three of their last five outings, alternating between home victories and away defeats during that time. Their inconsistency is perhaps best showcased in their goals record during that time, with nine scored and nine conceded in their last five.
It will be a tough ask against Arsenal today, but Redknapp will be desperate for his side to keep things tight early on in this game. QPR have conceded the first goal in 13 of their 17 Premier League matches this season, which is the most in the division. They will find it very hard to claw their way back into the game if they allow that to happen once again here.
TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the big news is that the returning Tomas Rosicky is named in the starting lineup for the hosts. Monreal is also drafted back in to replace Chambers, with Debuchy switching back to the right side of defence. QPR, meanwhile, welcome Rio Ferdinand back into the starting XI, while Traore replaces the injured Yun. In all, there are six changes for the visitors. Full teams coming right up...
ARSENAL STARTING XI: Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs; Flamini, Cazorla, Rosicky; Alexis, Giroud, Welbeck
ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Chambers, Bellerin, Coquelin, Walcott, Podolski, Campbell
QPR STARTING XI: Green; Isla, Onuoha, Ferdinand, Caulker, Traore; Mutch, Henry, Kranjcar; Austin, Vargas
QPR SUBS: McCarthy, Hill, Phillips, Fer, Wright-Phillips, Hoilett, Zamora
What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, with Koscielny still out for the hosts, Monreal is the man chosen to fill in in central defence today, with Debuchy moving back out onto the right and Chambers dropping to the bench. The defence has been much maligned so far this season, and Mertesacker in particular will be keen to put in a good performance today following the criticism he was subjected to after Liverpool's late equaliser last time out.
It is the midfield that is hardest hit by injuries currently for Arsenal, with the likes of Ramsey, Wilshere, Arteta and Ozil all sidelined today, but Wenger has been boosted by the return to fitness of Rosicky, who starts this match. Alongside him in midfield is Cazorla, who has had a hand in five goals in his last five Premier League appearances, scoring three and setting up two more. That profitable run comes having not had a hand in a single goal in his nine previous appearances.
The Arsenal front three will be licking their lips at the prospect of coming up against the leakiest defence in the league. Sanchez has been by far the standout performer for Arsenal in the first half of the season and will look to make his mark once again this evening. In support he will have Welbeck, who has also fared pretty well since his summer move to the club. He has operated in more of a wide role recently, but is able to play up alongside Giroud, with Sanchez dropping in behind.
Giroud's return to fitness way ahead of schedule has given Arsenal a big boost, and he will be confident of continuing his good form since rejoining the first team today. He is very strong in the air so should be able to mix it with the likes of Onuoha, Ferdinand and Caulker, but he also contains a deceptively deft touch on the floor, which may be more of a danger to that QPR defence today.
However, QPR have their own deadly striker who will come into this match full of confidence following a hat-trick against West Brom last time out. Charlie Austin has now scored nine goals in his last eight Premier League appearances, although all of those have come at home. Overall, he has netted 11 times in the league this season, making him the highest scoring Englishman at the start of the day's play.
© Getty Images
He will fancy his chances coming up against this Arsenal defence, but QPR have only scored three away goals all season so the striker will need some help from his midfield. It is an interesting choice from Redknapp today as he makes six changes and reverts to his 3-2-3-2 formation, with Isla and Traore acting as wing-backs. Barton and Fer are among those to make way in midfielder, while Vargas is moved further forward.
As I have alluded to earlier, it is the defence that is the major concern for QPR in this side, and Rio Ferdinand comes into that back line for his first start since October 5 today. QPR are expected to play with three centre-backs, which is not a formation that has served them too well so far this season. It will be interesting to see how they cope with the pace of Arsenal on the counter-attack playing this formation.
PREDICTION: QPR's away form surely has to turn around at some point this season, but I can't see today being that day. Arsenal have been far from consistent themselves, but they are generally good at home and should have enough about them to pick up a comfortable victory. I'm going for 4-1 to the hosts
It certainly would be a major shock if QPR were to get anything out of this match, and if Arsenal want to make the top four then these are the games that they simply must win. You can listen to what our Sports Mole sofa panel had to say about the match in the video preview below.
The Boxing Day football is a tradition in England, and it is one that has served Arsenal well over the years. They have won their last seven homes matches on this date, a run which began with a 3-0 victory over QPR in 1995. They have only ever lost one of their 17 Boxing Day matches in the Premier League era, winning 11 and drawing five. QPR, meanwhile, have not won any of their three Boxing Day games in the Premier League.
Arsenal also tend to fare better against sides from the capital, with no defeats in their last 11 London derbies at the Emirates Stadium. Once again, QPR's record is significantly less impressive, with five consecutive defeats against teams also from the capital and no wins in seven.
This could be a landmark day for Arsene Wenger, who is going in search of his 400th win as Arsenal manager in the Premier League this afternoon. He comes up against Harry Redknapp in the dugout, with the former Tottenham boss having won just three, drawn 10 and lost five of his 18 Premier League games against the Gunners.
KICKOFF: QPR get us underway in this London derby at the Emirates, with both sides needing a victory. Can the visitors pull off a shock here?
It has been a bright start from Arsenal, who are looking to get on the front foot right away. Sanchez has seen a lot of the ball in the opening exchanges and has already shown glimpses of his quality.
This match has settled into the sort of rhythm we expected, with Arsenal dominating the ball and playing the game at their own pace. QPR, meanwhile, are just sitting off right now and challenging Arsenal to play through them.
Cazorla has been in good form recently, and he tries to continue that with the first shooting opportunity of the match. Sanchez slid a square ball to the Spaniard, who wound up his effort before letting fly from 25 yards. However, Caulker is out quickly to make the block.
PENALTY TO ARSENAL!
SAVED!
Incredible scenes here as Arsenal squander a glorious chance to break the deadlock! QPR struggle to get the ball clear in the middle of the area and it eventually falls to Sanchez, who is hacked down by Traore when heading away from goal. There is no doubt that it is a penalty, but Sanchez can't make the most of it as he rolls a tame effort towards the bottom corner that Green saves! Huge let-off for QPR!
Will that penalty save be a boost for the visitors? They have not kept the ball well at all so far, gifting it back to Arsenal all too easily. They have not created anything going forward as of yet, but they have been given a reprieve there. Can they build on it?
Well, it doesn't appear to have had too negative an influence on Arsenal at least. They are still controlling possession and look dominant in this match. However, the longer it remains goalless, the more nervy the hosts may become.
Really good play from Rosicky as he manages to squeeze a ball through for Sanchez, but this time Traore deals with the danger well. He manages to catch up with the Arsenal winger and get to the ball first before clearing the danger.
Traore does it again, recovering well to get the ball before Sanchez and dealing with the danger when it looked as though he was beaten. A very good response to giving the penalty away by the former Arsenal man.
Good play from Arsenal down the left as Welbeck looks to have got in behind the defence, but this time it is Isla's turn to make a fine last-ditch challenge, knocking the ball behind for a corner.
QPR have not kept the ball anywhere near well enough so far today. They have struggled to string any decent passes together, which is also preventing the wing-back from coming into effect. So far, the visitors have been limited to playing five at the back throughout.
Szczesny finally has his first touch of the match, but it is a routine one for the keeper as he comes to claim a corner and then launch a quick break. QPR have not troubled the Arsenal keeper whatsoever so far.
PENALTY SHOUT! Arsenal want another penalty, but this one is a little more ambitious than the one that was given. The ball fortuitously deflected into the path of Giroud, who slipped a pass in to Welbeck. The England man was holding off Onuoha before going down, but the referee says no. Moments later, Giroud fires an effort from range over the top.
SHOT! This time it is Sanchez who chooses to have a go from range, but his effort is not much better. He fires it goalwards with plenty of power, but it flies well off target.
YELLOW CARD! Rio Ferdinand gets his name in the book, and he can have no complaints having tripped Welbeck when the striker got the wrong side of him. Arsenal now have a free kick in a very dangerous position.
SAVE! The angle favours a left-footer, and it is Giroud who obliges with a fine effort. He gets it up and over the wall and then on target, but Green is across to make an important diving stop.
Arsenal once again get in behind the QPR defence, but this time it is Caulker with a last-gasp challenge to save the day. It was Sanchez who made progress down the right channel, racing on to a ball over the top before cutting back. However, Caulker made a fine sliding challenge inside the box to stop the Chilean in his tracks.
The hosts have had 68% possession in this match so far, but their only shots on target have come from set pieces. They are dominating thins and have done throughout the half , but they have struggled to create shooting opportunities behind the QPR defence.
The pressure really is starting to build now, however. A Giroud effort deflects wide from a corner, and Debuchy is in their to challenge following his goal against Liverpool last time out. He gets to the ball first, but can't keep his header down.
QPR break quickly following an Arsenal corner, but they can't make anything of probably their best attacking platform of the match. Arsenal respond with an attack of their own, but Caulker makes an important, if untidy, challenge on Welbeck.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 QPR (Alexis Sanchez)
Finally the breakthrough comes for Arsenal! Welbeck and Cazorla are involved in the build-up as they work the ball across to Gibbs on the left. He digs a cross out into the middle, and Sanchez is in acres of space to plant a diving header into the net. Poor defending from QPR, but Arsenal certainly deserve that.
CLOSE! QPR have offered nothing going forward so far, but they almost hit straight back here! An initial free kick is dealt with by Arsenal, but the visitors recycle the ball and play it back into the middle. Caulker gets there in front of Mertesacker and glances a header that skims narrowly past the post.
Lovely football from Arsenal as Cazorla and Rosicky exchange a one-two before the former slides a ball through to Giroud. He looks like he is through on goal, but the linesman's flag cuts the attack short. The replays, however, show that he was level.
QPR need to change something here as they just cannot get hold of the ball for any length of time. They have only threatened once so far, and otherwise have spent the entire match camped in their own half.
The fourth official indicates a minimum of one minute added time.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
The referee brings an end to the first half, and it is Arsenal who go into the break with the lead following a dominant 45 minutes. Arsene Wenger will be wondering how his side aren't further ahead, however, and will be desperate for the cushion of a second goal to make things a little more comfortable after the break.
The only goal of the game came courtesy of Alexis Sanchez, who took advantage of some poor marking to nod his side into the lead eight minutes before the break. It was Gibbs who created the chance, latching on to a pass from Cazorla down the left channel before putting a cross into the middle. Sanchez had peeled off Traore, who switched off, allowing the Chilean to nod home.
Sanchez had a worse time of things earlier in the game, however, missing a penalty that he had won himself in the opening 10 minutes. Once again it was Traore at fault, needlessly diving in to a challenge on Sanchez when the winger was heading away from goal. It was a clear penalty, but the subsequent spot kick was tame and Green was able to make the stop.
Aside from those chances, there hasn't been much goalmouth action in this one so far. Giroud also tested Green in the visiting goal with a good free kick, which he whipped over the wall and on target. However, despite their dominance, Arsenal have been unable to create spaces to test Green too often. They have got behind the QPR defence a few times, but more often than not the visitors have just about averted the danger.
QPR, meanwhile, have offered next to nothing going forward so far. Their first genuine threat came immediately after they fell behind when Caulker glanced a header narrowly past the far post, but Szczesny is yet to have a shot to save. Something certainly needs to change for the visitors in the second half if they are to salvage anything from this game.
QPR have played with three at the back so far today, although that has all too often looked like five at the back due to Arsenal's dominance. It is not a formation that has brought Harry Redknapp's side much joy so far this season, and again they are struggling to adapt to it today.
KICKOFF: Arsenal get us back underway as they look to continue the pressure on the top four by seeing out this victory. It was very comfortable for them in the first half, but they could do with a second goal here.
Arsenal have started this one in much the same fashion, controlling the ball and not letting QPR keep hold of it for any sustained period of time.
Teasing play from Debuchy as he receives the ball down the right flank and plays a low pass right across the face of goal. It is begging for a red shirt to touch it home, but no-one is there to oblige.
Austin has had a thankless task up front so far today. We expected Vargas to join him in a front two, but Arsenal's possession means that the striker is all too often isolated up front. He is continuing to work hard, but he is finding it difficult to have an impact.
RED CARD! Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
Oh my word, could this be a game-changer here?! Arsenal are reduced to 10 men after Giroud was played through on goal and went tumbling under the challenge of Onuoha having lost the race to Green. Giroud reacts angrily and puts his head into Onuoha, who goes down like he has been shot. It is a ridiculous overreaction from Onuoha, but it happened right in front of the ref and Giroud is always likely to be in trouble for that. Madness.
YELLOW CARD! Mutch goes into the book for a trip on Sanchez just as the winger looked to skip beyond him down the touchline.
The balance of the game has certainly swung since that red card, with QPR beginning to see more of the ball inside the Arsenal half. The hosts looked to be cruising to three points here, but once again they have made things difficult for themselves.
Good work from Arsenal down the left as they push on for what is looking like an even more crucial second goal now. Gibbs bursts down the flank and reaches the byline, but QPR just about deal with his subsequent cross. Moments later, Mutch goes down the right for QPR and squeezes a decent cross into the middle, but Szczesny collects.
Redknapp has been wanting to make a change for some time now, but the ball simply isn't going out of play. It looks like he is going to go for this one.
QPR SUBS: The visitors are finally able to make the changes, with Junior Hoilett and Leroy Fer coming on for Traore and Henry.
SHOT! Much more positive play from the visitors as they push forward, but the shot is poor at the end of this move. Hoilett looks to make an immediate impact, cutting inside but sending his effort closer to the corner flag.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 QPR (Tomas Rosicky)
What a huge goal that could be for Arsenal, just as the game looked like it was beginning to change. Once again it is Sanchez who creates it, drifting past a couple of challenges on the edge of the box before sliding his pass to Rosicky. The returning midfield controls his finish really well, placing a first-time effort beyond Green, who probably should have done better.
Is there any way back for QPR now? They had been starting to get themselves into the match and were looking increasingly dangerous, but that goal changes everything. Arsenal deserve it over the entire match too.
SHOT! QPR break into a shooting position down the right flank, with Isla finding a way past two red shirts. However, his subsequent effort is more like a back-pass as it rolls tamely into the keeper's arms.
YELLOW CARD! Hoilett becomes the latest name in the book for a tug on Debuchy, who was just about to advance into the box. Arsenal have a free kick in a promising position here, although it is a little wide...
SHOT! Despite the angle being a tough one, Cazorla goes for goal but can't get it on target. It is a decent effort from the Spaniard, but doesn't trouble Green.
QPR SUB: Zamora will get a cameo here as he replaces Mutch for the final 18 minutes of normal time.
SHOT! Arsenal are pushing for a third here, and again it is Debuchy who causes the problems. He gets down the right before pulling the ball back for Sanchez, who curls an effort off target from just inside the box.
SAVE! Once again the hosts attack, and once again it comes down the right flank. This time it is Sanchez who picks it up there before rolling a pass in to Welbeck, whose effort is straight at Green.
Arsenal have had so much joy down their right flank so far today, with first Traore and now Hoilett simply unable to deal with them. It has been an avenue of great joy for the hosts.
PENALTY TO QPR!
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 QPR (Charlie Austin)
Arsenal allow QPR a route back into the match, but it is a shocker from Martin Atkinson. Hoilett skipped beyond Debuchy inside the box, but the right-back got a foot on it and made a good challenge before Hoilett went down. Nethertheless, the referee points at the spot, and Austin slams it emphatically down the middle. Game on!
Serious questions will be asked of Arsenal now. They have controlled this game for long periods, but the Giroud red card gave QPR a route back into the game and they have done well to halve the deficit following Rosicky's goal. A big 10 minutes to come for both sides.
ARSENAL SUB: Wenger makes a defensive change to try to see this victory out here, with Calum Chambers replacing Rosicky.
If QPR are to find a way back into this game then Giroud's red card will be seen as the talking point. Here is the aftermath of his 'headbutt' on Onuoha:
© Getty Images
Decent link-up play from the visitor sas Isla feeds a pass in for Zamora, who lays it off nicely for Vargas. The Chilean gets a low cross into a dangerous area, but Szczesny collects it in the middle.
SHOT! Kranjcar looks to give his side a dramatic equaliser in style, shifting the ball onto his left foot before lashing a shot goalwards. He can certainly hit them from their, but this isn't his best effort and it flies over the top.
ARSENAL SUB: Another defensive change for the hosts as Francis Coquelin replaces Welbeck for these closing stages.
CHANCE! Big scare for Arsenal late on here! QPR win a corner and Isla makes the run to the near post, glancing his header goalwards. It is a testing one, but Flamini is there to make a block right in front of his keeper.
There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match, and QPR are throwing the kitchen sink at the hosts right now! We're in for a cracking finale here.
PENALTY SHOUT! QPR have a big shout for a penalty late on! The ball is whipped in from the left side and Zamora looks to be the favourite for it until going down under the challenge of Gibbs. That could very easily have been given.
YELLOW CARD! A late yellow card for Kranjcar, who tripped Sanchez as the Arsenal man had skipped beyond him.
YELLOW CARD! Coquelin joins Kranjcar in the book for a cynical challenge on Fer. QPR have a free kick around 35 yards from goal in what will surely be the last action of the match...
FULL TIME: Arsenal 2-1 Queens Park Rangers
Kranjcar's powerful effort flies over the top and that is indeed the final action of the match as Arsenal hold on for the victory. They move to within two points of the top four with the victory, while QPR are still searching for their first away points of the season. It was a very interesting game and certainly not as straightforward for the Gunners as they might have expected coming into the match. However, they got a crucial three points to return to winning ways.
The hosts took the lead through Alexis Sanchez, who had earlier missed a penalty, and looked very comfortable at half time. However, that began to change when Giroud was shown a red card for a headbutt on Onuoha, although Rosicky did manage to double his side's lead shortly afterwards. That proved to be the winner, with Austin pulling a goal back from the spot to set up a tense finale for the Gunners.
Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a fascinating clash between Arsenal and QPR, with the Gunners ultimately hanging on for all three points in the London derby. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
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