Arsenal made three changes from their previous match with Ramsey, Walcott and Arshavin replacing Benayoun, Rosicky and Gervinho in the starting lineup. For QPR, five changes were made, which also included the return of Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The first half started with both teams eager to stamp their authority on the game, but the first chance went to QPR in the tenth minute, when Taarabt slid a through ball from the left to Wright-Phillips, whose shot was blocked by diving Szczesny.
Slowly, Arsenal started to build momentum, with Van Persie and Walcott coming very close to scoring a goal. Referee Atkinson wrongly booked Vermaelen when it was clearly visible that Koscielny has committed the foul on Wright-Phillips. Two appeals for handball in the QPR box were also turned down by the referee.
At the end of first half, Van Persie tried to control a magnificent ball by Arteta, but he slipped right at the end of box.
The second half was more lively as both teams went on the attack, with Koscielny nearly scoring an own goal in the 51st minute. Arsene Wenger soon sensed the need to attack more and brought on Coquelin in place of Vermaelen.Walcott again tried his luck with a through ball by Ramsey but failed to find the back of net. In 60th minute the captain Van Persie shot home from Arshavin’s pin point ball through the left side of the box. Thomas Rosicky came on the pitch in place of Arshavin, who was clearly not happy with the substitution.
QPR started to look more threatening with the introduction of DJ Campbell and gained two consecutive free kicks outside the right edge of the Arsenal box without any success. They kept trying to equalize but failed to unsettle the Arsenal defense.
Gervinho came in for Walcott and immediately got two great opportunities which he failed to capitalize on.Van Persie had a great chance in the 89th minute to equal the record, but he was unable to control the ball. Arsenal executed time wasting tactics in the 4 minutes of added time and then deservedly took all three points at the final whistle. Mertesacker was again rock solid in defense for Arsenal, while Luke Young was the standout performer for QPR for his timely tackles, which thwarted a number of Arsenal attacks.
The win for Arsenal helped them to reach fourth place in the standings for only the second time this season while QPR are just a place above the relegation zone after their loss.
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