Merry Christmas to you all, my ardent readers!! from me and the Arsenal family.!
Well so the ever busy and fun festive fixtures are back! this time even bigger and much interesting; compared to the big fixtures featuring Arsenal's rivals on the other end of the table.
The Gunners will have to endure a tough seven day fixture-piled week, with QPR tonight followed by West Ham on Sunday before Wenger's men travel to Southampton on Thursday next week. Let's first focus on the task at hand before I become embroiled in the upcoming fixtures.
It's gooners' favourite fixture! yes not because we play host to a team fighting relegation, but because it's another LONDON DERBY! which actually falls on BOXING DAY. Arsenal fans have enjoyed the traditional Boxing Day fixtures for years now, having only seen their team beaten once on 26 December under Arsene Wenger. If that's not enough, the Arsenal have not tasted defeat in their last 11 Premier League London derbies at the Emirates Stadium, winning eight of those games.
Arsenal had one of the worst matches in a decade in the last outing at Anfield, being limited to just 36.5% possession is the worst news any Arsenal follower can swallow, considering our style of play and the vast attacking talents we have at our disposal.
Well apart from our poor showing at least Giroud again scored against a 'big' team and Debuchy gave me a reason to smile.
The29-year-old Frenchman finally scored his first Arsenal goal; what's more tantalizing is the fact that it was from a set piece!
Mathieu Debuchy became Arsenal's 11th league scorer this season, also joined his fellow new outfield players to find the back of the net after signing for the red and white.
Tonight either represents a perfect opportunity to enjoy the sight of our bench-bound stars; Podolski, Walcott and Rosicky hit the ground in what seems to be the perfect time for squad rotation, or either the start of the worst period for us, when the club's top scorer, Alexis Sanchez suffers from fatigue due to an unfamiliar Christmas fixtures.
To avoid a repeat of the stoke train station abuse, Wenger need to be cautious with his selection, leave alone his ever late substitutions; if he's to maintain togetherness and competitiveness in the squad.
then I think the English forward might give me a tough time tonight.
Austin who has risen through the four English tiers, has become a household name ever since the season began. The 25-year-old striker has already hit 11 league goals, more than any English player this season, among them an impressive hat-trick against West Brom last week.
With Wenger suggesting Chambers (who had an awful outing) has hit rock bottom in his match fitness levels, I expect Debuchy to partner Per at the back again and maybe Bellerin could be called up to fill Chamber's spot.
At least with that we can all be assured of more attacks, less foolish mistakes and a solid defence.
Today represents a super day for this Arsenal star, who scored 16 goals last season, among them the FA Cup winner! He has had a shaky start to the season but his wonder strike against Galatasaray clouds all those weak moments. HAPPY 24TH AARON RAMSEY! too bad he won't be available tonight.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head- Arsenal have won three of the last four meetings 1-0, including both games last season.
- The Hoops were undefeated in their first six Premier League meetings with Arsenal (W2, D4) but have only won one of the next six (D1, L4).
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League London derbies at the Emirates Stadium (W8 D3 L0).
- Arsenal have only lost one of their last seven matches in all competitions (W5, D1).
- Arsenal have scored exactly one goal in eight of their last nine Premier League games against QPR, with the exception being the 3-0 win on Boxing Day 1995.
- They have only lost one of their 17 Boxing Day Premier League matches (W11, D5).
- Mathieu Debuchy became a record 20th Frenchman to score a Premier League goal for Arsenal against Liverpool last time out.
- Arsene Wenger is one win shy of his 400th in the Premier League era.
- Santi Cazorla has had a hand in five goals (three goals, two assists) in his last five league games.
- QPR have yet to earn a point away from home this season (P8, L8).
- Harry Redknapp has only lost five of the last 18 Premier League games as an opposition coach against Arsenal (W3 D10 L5).
- They are the only team in the league who have yet to win on their travels and have only scored three goals away from Loftus Road.
- Harry Redknapp's side have conceded the opening goal in 13 of their 17 league games this season, more than any other side.
- Charlie Austin is the top-scoring Englishman in the Premier League this season with 11.
- Austin has scored nine goals in his last eight league appearances, all at home.
- QPR have lost five successive Premier League London derbies and are winless in their last seven (L5 D2).
- Rangers have failed to score a goal on five of their last six visits
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Head-to-head league record: Arsenal wins 20, draws 12, QPR wins 12
TEAM NEWS: Rosicky, Ospina and sanogo are available. Koscielny and Bellerin close for Sunday
Wenger on arteta: "He's progressing well. He had a little set back and will not play before January"
Boss on ramsey: "He could be back for Southampton"
Wenger on walcott: "He has been missed because he's a top-quality team player. He's as quick as he was"
Wenger on Ozil: "He'll be back at the beginning of January. He works very hard and is very focused"
My predicted lineup: Szczesny, Bellerin, Per, Debuchy, Gibbs, Flamini, Sanchez, Cazorla, Ox, Welbeck, Giroud
My prediction: Arsenal 2-0 (Giroud, Welbeck)
@bryoshavin
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