Arsenal vs QPR Shine of the 2-1 win

Giroud and Alexis were on Target vs QPR

   Arsenal defeated QPR 2-1 yesterday at Loftus Road. The team was not at their fluent best as Rs tried to deploy the same strategy used by Palace few days ago by closing them down and cramping them for space. However team learnt their lesson and patiently grinded out the win in the derby. Goals came from the boots of Giroud and Sanchez both scoring their goal no 13 and 19 for the season respectively. Lets look at the bright aspects of the winning performance.

Hector Bellerin and the Right way
   Arsenal's most of the attack in proportion of 44% flew from the right wing with Hector Bellerin continuously in attack. The young Spaniard doesn't cease to amaze with his energetic play on the flanks. His runs and crosses kept on coming throughout the match. He provided the width which the Arsenal team often lacks from their wingers who tend to drift inside overloading the central area on the pitch. And he does this all without getting exposed in the defense. He clearly has the upper hand in the competition with Chambers.

Gibbs command on the Left
   Gibbs is currently the second choice left-back behind Monreal but it is just a statement of quality we have at our disposal. He provided assist for both the goals despite the least proportion (less than 25%) of play coming from his flank. Just like Bellerin on the opposite side, he kept on overlapping and maintained the width in the play. His run to the byline of the Net for HFB's goal was a fine display of his ability to carry the ball for good use.
   But he is deservedly behind his competitor for the starting berth. The reason for that has been Monreal's fine defensive form and dynamism in his attacking play. Nonetheless, but are different to each other and the Gibbo's assist (Giroud Goal) tonight is not what you see from Nacho. Arsene can use any of them depending on the opposition.

Solidity of Coquelin

Giroud celebrating his goal with Rosicky

   Everyone in the Gunners midfield had a good game but Francis earned more respect for stepping on the pitch with a not so perfect nose. He sported a mask in honour of his valiant efforts against the toffees. He put in fantastic defensive performance with 5 tackles, winning 4 aerial duals, 4 interceptions and 8 clearances. He does the job of protecting back four fantastically well.
   Since his return, he has had a visible impact on the results of the game. In the last 12 PL games in which he has played, Arsenal has won 10 of those. He is definetly a vital cog in defense of the team.

   Besides this, other significant thing was that Sanchez ended his so-called goal drought by netting since the game vs Stoke in January. All the player on the pitch had an average of 7.5 out of 10 performance. But all was not good as new boy Gabriel has been lost to hamstring injury which has ruled him out for minimum of 21 days. But we are sufficiently equipped to cope with his absence for the 4 games in that period.

   Next up Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup Quarterfinals.