Arsenal vs. QPR: Score, Grades, Reaction from London Derby
Arsenal came through a moment of alarm before claiming a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers at the Emirates on Boxing Day.
A goal from Alexis Sanchez had Arsenal in complete control against a rival offering nothing as an attacking force, but Olivier Giroud was shown a straight red card on 53 minutes for aiming a head-butt at Nedum Onuoha.
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The R’s came out of their shell with a man advantage and attempted to play in a nervous atmosphere at the Emirates, but Tomas Rosicky grabbed his first goal of the season to extend the home side's advantage to 2-0.
Charlie Austin scored a controversial penalty for QPR with 11 minutes remaining, but Arsenal held on for the win.
Having seen Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham all win earlier in the day, Arsenal were seeking a response.
They had a chance to gain a strong, early foothold when Armand Traore lunged in on Alexis to concede a penalty in the eighth minute.
Alexis took on the responsibility, seemingly pulling rank on Santi Cazorla, but his shot lacked power, and Rob Green got down low to his left to make the save.
The penalty miss temporarily took the wind from Arsenal’s sails, as they continued to dominate possession but without the same tempo as before Green’s save.
Green came to QPR’s aid shortly before the half-hour mark, as he dived to his left to keep out a curling free-kick from Giroud.
Giroud’s free-kick sparked both the crowd and Arsenal back to life. And on 37 minutes, the Gunners finally made the breakthrough.
A lengthy passing move saw Arsenal shift the ball out to Kieran Gibbs on the left-hand side. The full-back got his head up and picked out Alexis, who planted his header beyond Green.
Having missed the penalty earlier in the game, Alexis’ celebration was a mixture of joy and relief.
"Sanchez has many strengths (tho not pen-taking tonight), including intelligent movement and a supreme work ethic as well as technique. #afc
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) December 26, 2014"
Arsenal were in complete control, with QPR offering little in attack, but Giroud opened the door for their London rivals by getting himself sent off in ridiculous fashion.
The Frenchman and Onuoha got involved in a foot race, and Giroud tumbled to the floor after the pair came together. For whatever reason, the red mist descended on Giroud, and he threw his head in the face of Onuoha.
It was not enough contact to send Onuoha to the floor in the fashion it did, but it was enough to leave referee Martin Atkinson with no option but to brandish a red card.
The look Arsene Wenger sent the way of Giroud as the striker left the pitch spoke volumes about what the manager felt of his striker’s actions.
"Well that was utterly stupid from Olivier Giroud! Can't be gorgeous and have brains, I suppose.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 26, 2014"
QPR briefly looked like threatening to get back into the match, but Rosicky eased the tension with a second goal for Arsenal on 65 minutes.
Rosicky's low strike from the edge of the box beat Green with the aid of a deflection, but the praise must go to Sanchez for the brilliant run that created the chance.
Referee Atkinson handed QPR an unlikely second bite at the cherry when awarding them a penalty, despite Mathieu Debuchy clearly winning the ball in a challenge with QPR's Junior Hoilett.
Charlie Austin smashed his penalty down the middle to set up a tense final few minutes, but the Gunners held on despite coming under real pressure—Mauricio Isla had a header cleared off the line, and Bobby Zamora had a penalty claim denied—in the closing stages.
Arsenal remain two points adrift of the top four and will face a far sterner test at West Ham on Sunday.
Andy Carroll and Co. look certain to try to rough the Gunners up. If Wenger’s men can come through unscathed in that match, confidence will start to run through the camp for the second half of the season.
Notable Player Grades
Alexis Sanchez: B+
The Chilean lost half a mark for the missed penalty, but it was the only blot on a brilliant display of incisive attacking play from Alexis.
Danny Welbeck: C
The forward’s work ethic is not in question, but he looks a little short on confidence at present. This represents his fifth game in a row without a goal.
Per Mertesacker: B
The big German came in for criticism for Liverpool’s late goal in Arsenal’s previous game. There was no criticism today, but he was put under little pressure by the QPR attack.
Armand Traore: D
Not really a day the former Arsenal man will look back on with much affection. He conceded a penalty and was often found wanting in defensive situations.
Post-match Reaction
Gunners boss Wenger spoke to BT Sport about Giroud’s red card and was not happy with the striker.
"It changed completely the dynamic. We were in complete control, and then down to 10 men and only 1-0 up. It made for us quite comfortable to a mountain to climb.
It was deserved, he did not control himself and it was a straight red.
"
