Let's all laugh at Tottenham.. hahahahahahahaha. well that's enough for today. Ooops what a weird way to start a blog, hehe at least every Arsenal fan knows what their cup loss to Chelsea will do to their already distorted esteem.
Wenger does read my blog! yeah you read it right!! wondering how I knew? I was busy ranting about Per's Champions League performance and highlighting the need to bring in our fighter, Gaby in the fold to restore Arsenal's fear factor in our back four. He came on, was magnificent and Boom! kept another clean sheet, this time round in his league full debut! Wenger does listen to me! see what I did there?
Today I won't make much noise but to be honest who loved Arsenal's performance on Sunday? we showed less zeal against Everton and thanks to our concentration levels we never allowed them the freedom to hit us on the break like before. From the onset we looked shaky and when Cazorla, our captain for the day lost the ball I was almost counting an early goal for the Toffees. It wasn't a commendable display especially in the first half but at least we finished our job early thanks to Emirates lover, Olivier Giroud and the evergreen Rosicky.
Ozil who was anonymous for the better part of the game, roofed all that with two exquisite assists. First picked Giroud from a corner for the under pressure forward to put the Gunners ahead with a well taken flick, and register his 51st goal for the club to make it his 7th goal in 9 starts for Arsenal. After being heavily criticized for poorly defending set pieces, the goal meant Arsenal had now scored 15 times from set pieces this term.
After Martinez's men looked like they were heading for an equalizer, Tomas Rosicky steered steered the ship to glory when the 34-year-old Mozzart scored the winner in the dying minutes, courtesy of Ozil's pass to mark Arsenal's 7th consecutive victory at the Emirates for the first time since 2005.
90 minutes later, the under performing Ozil was hailed as the game's hero after his double assists propelled him to stand among the best goal creators in the league's history.
The third best Mesut Özil now has the third best minutes (224) per assist rate in Premier League history (min. 10 assists).
His performance also means that the German maestro has assisted a goal in each of his last three Premier League appearances at the Emirates Stadium. Do you know since signing for the club 19 months ago Ozil is yet to lose a league match at the Emirates? now you know.
Having registered 18 points from a possible 21 points already, this fixture represents 3 more vital matches which in my opinion, will shape Arsenal's season should we register wins.
Winning five in a row (counting from Palace's game) is not easy, but for a club of Arsenal's calibre, ten in a row should be the least target for every player. After the Rangers we have West Ham,Newcastle and Liverpool as our next opponents in the league, sandwiched between tricky fixtures (United) on Monday and a trip to Monaco. Should we win tonight on the road, then that could change our momentum heading to our last fixtures in the league and the FA Cup.
Last time we faced QPR, Sanchez had one of the best performances in red and white. Started with a missed penalty but the Chilean fired back with a brilliant header and an assist which Rosicky buried in to earn a hard fought 2-1win with 10 man on the field courtesy of Giroud's stupid red card.
Tonight's fixture is a tough one on paper, looking at our previous visits at the R's. Having won just one game in seven visits there. However, it being a London Derby, it represents a perfect opportunity for Giroud to make up for his red card with a couple of goals. The Walcott who has been suffering in the bench since he made his recovery months ago, is a master of this fixture, having scored in the last two meetings at Loftus Road Stadium, which makes him a contender in Arsenal's starting line up.
Coquelin who has made more interceptions (37) than any PL player since coming into the starting line up on December 28, has a tough night ahead. With Arsenal chasing for their second successive away win, our midfield general needs to be at his best if we are to mount real pressure on second placed City, who are just four points away. His tough tackles, loud mouth and determination will be vital since the young Frenchman has no reason to worry about his role in the squad any more , after he brilliantly cemented his starting berth and has since filled Arteta's boots.
Sanchez is yet to score or create a goal in a while after making a flying start in the league. The good thing is the British press is yet to kill his mood, criticizing him for his goal drought. Cazorla and Ozil have done great to cover up for Sanchez's poor run in front of goal with goals and assists, but I expect him to roar back tonight against the side he caused lots of trouble last time out.
Qpr are always tricky when fighting for survival but it should be known that ; Since the start of the 2012/13 season Arsenal have had little problems against teams in the bottom half of the table, losing just two of their last 54 games. #COYG!!
Team news
-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be available after returning to training ahead of schedule following a hamstring problem.
-Jack Wilshere (ankle) will miss out, as will Mathieu Flamini (hamstring), Abou Diaby (calf) and Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder) but Francis Coquelin could play despite fracturing his nose in Sunday's win over Everton.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Arsenal have won their last three Premier League games against QPR and lost just one of the last seven (W5, D1, L1).
- However, the Gunners have only won one of their last seven league matches away to Rangers (D4, L2).
- They have netted just 13 goals in 13 Premier League games against QPR.
- Rangers are win less in their last nine Premier League London derbies (D3, L6).
- They have lost five of their last six league games, and have claimed just one win in nine matches since Christmas Day.
- Matt Phillips has registered three assists in his last two games - having managed just two in his previous 32 league appearances.
- The Gunners have won six of their last seven Premier League games, and are chasing a fourth consecutive top-flight win.
- They are hoping to record back-to-back Premier League away wins for the first time this season. Their first five away victories were followed by defeat in their next game on the road.
- Olivier Giroud has scored seven goals in his last nine top-flight starts.
- Mesut Ozil has assisted five goals in 12 Premier League appearances this season.
- Theo Walcott has scored Arsenal's only goal of the game in both of his two previous Premier League appearances at Loftus Road.
- This match hasn’t ended in a draw since March 1996, a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road
- Each of Arsenals last 5 away victories have been followed by a defeat in their next away match. They won their last away game 2-1 at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.
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