QPR Preview

The Queens Park Rangers from West London are making the short ride North tomorrow to face our squad at the Emirates.  The Rangers are currently sitting fifth from the bottom of the table coming off of two losses and a draw.  After Friday's matches, Arsenal dropped to sixth after Liverpool beat Newcastle.  Getting only five points from our last three games means it's more important than ever for Arsenal get all three from tomorrow to get our momentum revving again.

The team news is that Theo is back in the squad after recovering from his a "stomach illness" that we here across the pond call the stomach flu.  There is no other immediate returns although the boss says that Sagna and Gibbs could be back late January with Spiky Jack to follow shortly thereafter.  I really can't wait for Bacary to return since has hasn't played with the squad since the Tottenham game which came at the early stages of our squad's development.  I think he will enjoy playing with a squad that has such good energy and attitude about it.

Truthfully, I haven't seen QPR play many matches but know just from watching the table that after staying in the middle of the pack was their pattern, but recently they have begun to nosedive.  Another loss at the Emirates could see them in the dreaded relegation zone.  So, there is a chance they will be playing out of a place of desperation making them dangerous and scrappy.  Remember, this is the team that beat Chelski 1-0 (and put John Terry on the racist map).  In short, I'd say they are extremely unpredictable.  Our makeshift back four will have to be on their toes the whole game and keep the in-form veteran striker Helguson who has seven goals from seeing the back of the net. 

As with Wolves our attack may be diminished with having center backs playing at full back positions.  The paciness and ball handling skills needed are not quite on par with our substitutes.  They are playing their hearts out, no doubt, but one can see how even my favorite would be more comfortable going up for aerial challenges in the middle than playing a one-two with Gervinho.  If QPR come and park the bus, having Theo back on the pitch will be most welcome as we will in all likelihood look to hit them on the counter attack.

As far as the lineup goes, Arsene has already talked of playing RVP and then deciding later whether to play him in the following games: 

“It will be difficult,” said Wenger. “He will play tomorrow, then we will assess the situation with him on Sunday and Monday morning and make a decision.


“I don’t rule it out but he’s one of the players who has played a lot and you see again, against Wolves on Tuesday, he’s the guy who gives absolutely everything in every game at the moment.

Gervinho and Theo will round out the front three with Robin.  Rambo had a breather last match so I expect him to start alongside Song (no backheels please) and Arteta who I am thinking will need a rest here soon.  He's played every Premier League game since he's become an Arsenal player as well as Champions League.  With his history of injury, he is doing surprisingly well, but I would not be shocked if he is approaching the red zone quickly.  With back to back matches on the horizon, I hope Mickey gets a rest.  Who would take his place?  The Coq could step in as well as Ping-Pong although I'm not sure how he and Song would play together.  Honestly, I can't remember if they have appeared together on the pitch or not.

We also have Yossi who could fill - in and deserves some more playing time as he's shown he can make an impact on the pitch.  All in all, I think we'll see a squad that looks something like this:


                                                                  Chezzers

           Djourou                     Mertie                          Koz                   Handsome

                                                                    Song
                                             Arteta/Coq                  Ramsey

Theooooooo                                                                                       Gervinho

                                                                 Captain My Captain

Unfortunately, the game is being shown over here on Fox Soccer Plus which my brother - who is the Gooner upon whom I depend on having access to the right Arsenal channels - does not have with his television programming.  So I will be at home reading Arseblog's live blog and cursing at the illegal stream that keeps freezing.  On a good note - I'll get to wear my brand new Arsenal scarf that the above brother gave me for Christmas.  There's always a silver lining!  Or in this case, a Red and White one. 

So here's hoping we score early and kill off the game before halftime, squashing those West Londoners thus sending them on their way  down to Relegation Alley.  Have a great day Gooners and COME ON YOU REDS!!