What should have been a procession for Arsenal was turned into an obstacle course by the folly of Olivier Giroud. Forced to play with 10 men for 37 minutes, following his butt on Nedum Onuoha, Arsenal almost threw the points away but held on.
One of the main criticisms of Arsenal in recent years is that they lack leaders. Giroud is experienced, an intelligent 28-year-old, but his response to a minor frustration defied belief. He felt Onuoha had impeded him, knocking him over, but nothing could excuse his reaction. He jumped up and rushed at him, butting him.
Onuoha immediately crumpled to the floor. As well as the length of his fuse, Giroud needs to improve his vision. The referee, Martin Atkinson, was three yards away and had no choice but to brandish red. As Giroud ran to the tunnel, Arsène Wenger gave him a look of total bemusement, that almost bordered on disdain.
No wonder. Giroud could have cost his side, let alone the additional punishment of being banned for three games. Arsenal were so in control, leading through a fine first-half header from Alexis Sánchez, the man of the match, just ahead of Tomas Rosicky. The Czech, making a well-received return, also scored after more good work by Sánchez.
Arsenal inevitably tired, conceding a penalty thumped in by Charlie Austin, and leading to a nervy finale. It was all so unnecessary.
Arsenal were in complete control. QPR were so limited of intent, reflecting their record of meekness on the road that now reads nine Premier League away trips, nine defeats this season. Crystal Palace visit Loftus Road tomorrow and Harry Redknapp seemed to have picked this team with the weekend in mind.
Only when Giroud went did Redknapp acquire some boldness. Only when Leroy Fer, Junior Hoilett and Bobby Zamora came on did Austin have proper support. It is a gamble by Redknapp, seemingly placing all his hopes on events in W12. Palace occupy 18th place with 15 points, two behind 16th-placed QPR. Home is where the hope is for Redknapp but Operation Loft is a gamble.
Arsenal’s sights are loftier. If the identity of the top three looks clear, namely Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, then Arsenal are effectively fighting with Spurs, West Ham, Southampton, possibly Swansea and Liverpool for the final golden ticket to the Champions League. They need more leaders. They need players like Giroud to show maturity. They need another centre-half and a holding midfielder. They particularly need the wonderful Sánchez to stay fit.
In the Premier League scoring charts, only Sergio Agüero (14), Diego Costa (13) and Austin (12) have scored more than Sánchez’s 10. In the Premier League table of assists, only Cesc Fabregas (12) and Gylfi Sigurdsson (eight) boast more Premier League assists than Sánchez (six).
From the opening minute, the 26-year-old £30 million signing from Barcelona was buzzing around everywhere across the final third, showing his remarkable work ethic, a contrast to the rash Giroud. For a player who enjoyed a good World Cup, Sánchez does not seem to have stopped running since the sun of Brazil has given way to the sleet of England. He also seemed to have brought his penalty form from Brazil on this occasion, missing just as he did against the hosts in June in Belo Horizonte.
The spot-kick opportunity arrived after eight minutes.
Sánchez’s movement was always a threat, always a problem for Armand Traoré, who soon melted under the Chilean’s pressure. Sánchez was running away from goal, heading out of the box when Traoré inexplicably decided to intervene, bringing the Chilean down. There used to be a rule at Arsenal, an unwritten one but oft-expressed by Wenger, that the fouled player should not take the spot-kick. Too emotionally charged ran the argument from Wenger.
Santi Cazorla could have taken the kick but Sánchez was determined, even grabbing the ball, ruffling the Spaniard on the head, a confidence that demanded he had to score. Behind him, though, Sánchez’s international colleague, Eduardo Vargas, was indicating to Robert Green which way to dive.
It helped. It was a poor kick, placed too close to Green, but the former England keeper still did well, following Vargas’ advice, reading Sánchez’s intentions, diving left and pushing the ball away.
Sánchez immediately redoubled his efforts. Redknapp’s defenders were working overtime. Steven Caulker slid in to clear from under the feet of Giroud. Danny Welbeck was then tugged back by Rio Ferdinand, who was making his first appearance since Oct 5. Giroud took responsibility for the free-kick, curling it over the wall, bringing another fine save from Green.
Giroud was ultimately to frustrate Arsenal fans with his lunacy early in the second half yet where this is Sánchez, there is hope. His movement is so intelligent, his ability to ghost in, eluding markers, seen again here eight minutes from the interval.
Welbeck and Cazorla combined, sending Kieran Gibbs down the inside-left channel. The full-back’s cross was perfection, directed towards to Sánchez. Traoré did not track him. Nor did Caulker, the left-sided of Redknapp’s three centre-halves who failed to shuttle across. Sánchez met the ball with a firm header, giving Green no chance.
Eight minutes after the break, Giroud suffered his moment of lunacy.
Redknapp made a double change, seeking to give Austin some support, at last displaying some adventure away from Loftus Road. Fer and Hoilett came on, replacing Karl Henry and Traoré, but it was Arsenal who scored next. Again it was Sánchez who was so influential, this time playing the creator. He dribbled across the edge of the area before laying the ball off to Rosicky, who calmly slotted his shot past Green.
Redknapp sent on Zamora with 19 minutes left, giving more impetus to QPR’s attack, which was not difficult. With 11 minutes left, Hoilett cut in from the left and was brought down by Mathieu Debuchy, who looked to have been targeting the ball. Atkinson ignored Arsenal’s laments. Austin thumped the penalty in.
QPR pressed to the end. Zamora appealed for a penalty when challenged by Gibbs but Arsenal held on.
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