MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 21:18:46| >> :60:1448:1448:
[monks data]
QPR logo
Premier League
Mar 4, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

1-2

Austin (82')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Giroud (64'), Sanchez (69')

Charlie Austin goal too little too late as Queens Park Rangers undone by Arsenal

Struggling Queens Park Rangers succumb to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of high-flying Arsenal in Wednesday evening's Premier League clash at Loftus Road.

Queens Park Rangers have succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in this evening's Premier League clash at Loftus Road.

Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal (17) celebrates with Mesut Ozil as he scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match on  March 4, 2015© Getty Images

Both sides launched into the opposing final third early on, as Charlie Austin and Francis Coquelin probed forward for their respective teams.

In the 23rd minute, Bobby Zamora held off several challenges before teeing up Austin, whose half-volley from the edge of the area was caught by David Ospina.

Moments later, the visitors countered through Olivier Giroud, the Frenchman marauding into the QPR box before forcing a low save from stopper Robert Green.

Thirty-six minutes in, a low cross from Matt Phillips threatened to turn into a shot from the right flank, but Ospina was again able to get a vital hand on the ball as another promising move broke down.

Arsenal finished the first half strongly as Santi Cazorla stung Green's palms with a volley, and they continued to push forward after the restart.

Tomas Rosicky delivered a cross that proved just too strong for Mesut Ozil, but Alexis Sanchez then found the space to cut inside and unleash a low shot to force Green into a decent save.

QPR countered, with Phillips just inches away from breaking the deadlock on the hour mark with a half-volley which drifted just wide.

Charlie Austin of QPR challenges goalkeeper David Ospina of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match on March 4, 2015© Getty Images

The hosts would rue that miss because, just six minutes later, Sanchez picked out Kieran Gibbs on the wing, and even though the subsequent cross was blocked, Giroud reacted quickest to blast the ball home.

Straight after the restart, Green was tested twice again as Arsenal took complete control of proceedings, but it didn't take long for the second Gunners goal to come.

Sanchez, so instrumental in Arsenal's play so far, cut in from the left before picking out the bottom corner with a powerful finish for his first strike in seven games.

QPR, to their credit, made for a nervy finish when Austin turned into space on the edge of the box before lashing a fierce shot towards goal past the helpless Ospina.

However, it was too little too late as the Gunners saw out the game to secure all three points, which sees them remain third in the Premier League table.

Meanwhile, the struggling R's remain stranded in the relegation zone, three points from safety.

ID:209307: cacheID:209307:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5562:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rio Ferdinand of QPR tackles Danny Welbeck of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2014
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: QPR holding Arsenal to goalless draw
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!