QPR 1 - 2 Arsenal

A scoreline that suggested that the game was close but did, in fact, flatter QPR, in the end. It took us until the second half to really start controlling the game, but when we did, we were well in command.

Playing in a crappy stadium with a small pitch against a team who does nothing else than cross and play it long to a tall striker was always going to pose some difficulty for a small team that doesn't always relish the physical battles like we are, especially with a new brought centre back from Spain in the back four. In the first half hour QPR tried to use their physical superiority to their advantage while we conspired to give the ball back to them at every opportunity, but their delivery into the box wasn't good enough, and although Zamora got the better of Gabriel a couple of times, we did well keeping him away from our penalty area and winning the second ball.

We grew into the game in the latter stages of the first half, showing some better ball retention but not really creating a chance of note. Our best chance came from a Giroud shot on the edge of their penalty area. We didn't start to create chances until the second half.

Once we went in front through Giroud, we were in control of the game. Alexis doubled our lead and from there we cut them open repeatedly on the counter attack. QPR's direct passing played right into our hands, and we had the pace of Gibbs, Bellerin and Alexis on the counter, as well as the precision of Ozil. Green pulled out a couple of good stops and Ozil hit the post to prevent us from really building a dominant scoreline.

One lapse at the back thought cost us a goal and made the final quarter a game more frantic than it needed to be. When the ball was played across the edge of our penalty area, and neither Koscielny or Gibbs got tight enough to Austin to prevent him from turning and getting a shot away. You can't be giving any striker, let alone one in double figures for the season, an opportunity to have a shot on goal like that.

We defended well, though. Koscielny did a better job against Zamora than Gabriel had been doing, and our defenders received good cover from the midfield and the full-backs. I thought we did very well as a unit and didn't give QPR another chance after their goal. Even when the ref pulled four minutes of stoppage time out of his arse (plus an extra 30 seconds on top of that), we kept our composure and saw the game out.

It's an important result since everyone else in the top seven recorded wins tonight and yesterday. Spurs put their cup disappointment behind them to beat Swansea (just about), and United got the jammiest of wins against Newcastle (Krul smh).

Next up is the FA Cup on Monday against United, while certain other teams get the weekend off.

We upped the ante for the about 15 minutes in the second half and we reaped the rewards. That's about it.
We did the job well and now it's on to the next one.

OT here we come. (Phrasing. BOOM!)

Solid performance from just about everyone, bar conceding the goal. Deserved 3 points and we've maintained our momentum. Now we have to up the ante even further in the next two games, but winning today was crucial.

Special praise for Per who I thought was perfect today despite his recent criticism. Good captain's response.

Great summary. Not much else to say

It's indeed an important result since every one else won. We need to win every game against the bottom teams. Because we are surely to choke against the top ones.

I'll be surprised to get any points against Liverpool, Chelsea and United(despite 2 of them being at home). So we have to gather as many as we can against teams like QPR.

As jay said, scoreline really flatters QPR. They were awful. We tried to match them in that department in the first half but not even we could get to their level of crappiness.

Thankfully we improved after 25 odd minutes and Ozil basically controlled the match after that. Sanchez's goal was good and Giroud needs to score more of those poacher goals.

Thought Bellerin was fantastic. Just needs to improve his crossing which he should at Barcelona in few years as he is never going to learn that at Arsenal.

Wish we scored more, but glad with 3 points.

RealGunner wrote:Great summary. Not much else to say

It's indeed an important result since every one else won. We need to win every game against the bottom teams. Because we are surely to choke against the top ones.

I'll be surprised to get any points against Liverpool, Chelsea and United(despite 2 of them being at home). So we have to gather as many as we can against teams like QPR.

As jay said, scoreline really flatters QPR. They were awful. We tried to match them in that department in the first half but not even we could get to their level of crappiness.

Thankfully we improved after 25 odd minutes and Ozil basically controlled the match after that. Sanchez's goal was good and Giroud needs to score more of those poacher goals.

Thought Bellerin was fantastic. Just needs to improve his crossing which he should at Barcelona in few years as he is never going to learn that at Arsenal.

What?
What is wrong with you?
Come on little more positivity. Think we will win one of those at least.

Manage expectations and you'll feel less suicidal mate

Nothing about positivity. Wenger can't beat Mourinho. Arsenal can't beat United. Liverpool are playing probably the best football in the league atm.

Unless we start playing to our potential. It's highly unlikely to get more than 2 points in those game IMO

That's an improvement. From 0 to 2 points.

srigooner wrote:Manage expectations and you'll feel less suicidal mate

I dont know about others here, but I dont care about CL anymore.

I do care about EL though.

Raptorgunner wrote:

srigooner wrote:Manage expectations and you'll feel less suicidal mate

I dont know about others here, but I dont care about CL anymore.

I do care about EL though.

I'll manage somehow Rapz

El Gunner wrote:

Raptorgunner wrote:

srigooner wrote:Manage expectations and you'll feel less suicidal mate

I dont know about others here, but I dont care about CL anymore.

I do care about EL though.

I'll manage somehow Rapz

GL is here for us lads

Also, not sure if Rapz meant EL GUNNER or EL = Europa League

Just to be clear, if we do finish in the top 4 again this season, I propose that El change his name to CL Gunner - you know, 17 years in the champs league and all

That's just about your displayed age on GL too

You could totally land a soccer chic saying 'My teams's been in the CL for as long as I have been alive. Literally.' BOOM!

That's smart, but I've had this name like for 6 years now. Grown fond of it.

Also thought that Rapz could have meant Europa League. That's for him to clear up. But I went with him referring to me. Because who can really care about the Europa League. I mean. Who does??? Right.

Tbf, Rapz is such a big football fan that he just might

srigooner wrote:Also, not sure if Rapz meant EL GUNNER or EL = Europa League

I was wondering what EL Gunner ment by that.

srigooner wrote:Tbf, Rapz is such a big football fan that he just might

Winning EL is better than finish top4.

I know Wenger would perfer the top4 trophy but I go with EL(Gunner) trophy.

I'd take Champions League over a one off EL win. We should do a poll actually, it's always an interesting question - I have had this discussion with many a scouser but never an Arsenal fan.

srigooner wrote:I'd take Champions League over a one off EL win. We should do a poll actually, it's always an interesting question - I have had this discussion with many a scouser but never an Arsenal fan.

We should make one and see.