One-nil to the Arsenal

Arsenal 1-0 QPR

Robin Van Persie was the match winner yet again as Arsenal moved into the top four of the Premier League with a one-nil home win against Queens Park Rangers. Despite creating numerous opportunities, the one-nil score line was an apt result, given that defensive stalwart and true Arsenal legend, Tony Adams was watching on from the stands.

QPR created a few dangerous chances themselves in the early stages of the match, with Szczesny forced into a fine save from Shaun Wright-Philips. Arsenal soon began to take control of the game however, with Aaron Ramsey’s beautifully lofted forward ball met by a wonderful header from the back-pedalling Robin Van Persie. Unfortunately for the Dutchman his header flew just wide of the goal. This missed opportunity set the tone for the rest of the game as Arsenal and Van Persie in particular could not seem to find the back of the net. Johan Djourou burst forward from the right back position and fed Van Persie on the edge of the box. He swivelled and turned past the QPR defender but with Radek Cerny rushing out of his goal, Van Persie could only clip the ball high and wide. The Dutchman’s fantastic movement then allowed him to meet Vermaelen’s long ball with a powerful right-footed shot which sailed just over the bar and shortly after this Arsenal were denied a clear penalty when Laurent Koscielny’s shot struck Luke Young’s outstretched arm, but the referee refused to accede to the Arsenal players’ appeals. Just before half-time Arsenal were denied yet again as first Ramsey saw his shot headed off the line by Joey Barton and then Cerny saved well from Arteta.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Theo Walcott wasting the best chance of the game. Ramsey sent Walcott through from the halfway line, his speed taking the Englishman past QPR’s backline. However as he bore done on goal, Walcott’s touch deserted him and he could only fire weakly wide of the goal. Arsenal fans could be forgiven for feeling that this was going to be one of those days when the ball just would not go into the back of the net. However in the 60th minute those fears were allayed as Wright-Phillip’s loose ball fell straight to Arshavin, who in-turn played a perfect ball through to Van Persie to calmly slot the ball past Cerny and give Arsenal a deserved lead. Unlike the previous game against Wolves, the Gunners pressed forward in search of the second goal, but were denied again by a combination of poor finishing and misfortune. Gervinho inexplicably fired wide when it seemed easier to score and Rosicky’s goal bound effort deflected wide off a defender.

Van Persie fires past Cerny

Ultimately Arsenal held on to their one-nil lead and following Chelsea’s defeat by Aston Villa, the Gunners moved up to fourth position and within three points of Tottenham, after they drew away at Swansea. Considering the horrendous start to the season, we have done extremely well to find ourselves in this position going into the New Year. Unfortunately the curse of the full back position struck yet again as Thomas Vermaelen suffered a calf strain which looks set to keep him out for three weeks. Arsene Wenger must surely now look to sign a left back on loan in the January transfer window as we are extremely short in this position. With Thierry Henry’s two month loan deal due to be confirmed, Wenger has covered for the imminent loss of Gervinho and Chamakh to the African Nations Cup. However this is a short term solution to a long term problem and I would still like to see the manager sign a striker on a permanent deal as Chamakh is not good enough for this team and Park Chu Young is yet to start in the premier league. Hopefully these issues will be addressed and 2012 will see the Gunners fulfil their potential and seriously challenge for a trophy.