That, like Crystal Palace before it two weeks ago, felt like a big three points yesterday. There will undoubtedly be those that will look at the score line and simply shrug it off with an “it was only QPR”, but we were made to sweat a bit for those three points, both in the first half and the last ten (if you include injury time.
As I said with my pre-game ramblings in the morning yesterday, QPR will have had the time away to reflect, prepare themselves and get plenty of rest ahead of our visit to West London, where as we’d played two games since they’d even graced a pitch in competitive action. The net effect of that was that the first half saw a leggy-looking Arsenal come up against a pumped Rangers team who popped the ball around well and when they needed to, went direct to Zamora.
The first half was watched by yours truly on a somewhat dodgy iPhone stream, but even with the slightly blurry yellow and blue images moving around the pitch, I could still see that we struggled for fluency. QPR however, looked to test us with getting the ball out wide and into the box, with Ospina thankfully on hand when Per or Gabriel, then laterly Koscienly (our new signing seems tailor-made for the Arsenal, after picking up a hamstring injury, replacing the injured Brazillian in the first half) dealt with most balls pumped in and around the penalty spot.
I do love it when Arsène remembers to bring the halftime oranges though. They provided an injection of vitamin C and energy and we looked more cohesive in the second half. In the first 45 Green had maybe two saves to make, but in the second we tested him more, almost within the first minute or two.
So in hindsight today I can look at the game and see that the goal was coming. You just don’t see it at the time on account of all the fear and such. You know how it is.
Olivier was in the right place at the right time and as Gibbs – who looks to have won his place back from Monreal – rushed beyond Alexis in the box, the handsome Frenchman was the beneficiary with a quick swivel and finish. Loved it. Loved it because it was a real poachers goal. The kind that Eduardo or Wrighty used to love scrambling in. He’s on 13 for the season right now and you have to say that on current form he might just hit that 20 goal mark. Having missed a third of a season. How amazing would that be?
Alexis too got on the scoresheet and you have to say that if anyone should score it should be him. He hadn’t tucked one away for a while and even Arsène admitted afterwards that this sort of stuff plays on your mind when it goes on for a while. I am pleased he scored, but I have to say I was surprised he started, because to me he’d looked a little tired. His fatigue tends to manifest itself as misplaced passes or running into blind alleys with the ball, rather than the lack of running, but you could see that happening with increased frequency of late, so I did wonder if Arsène would save him for United. But ultimately, we should all be glad this morning that he didn’t.
I thought Özil and Coquelin also had good games too. Arsène said all the midfielders had impressive performances but with those two I think it stands out more. That’s because Özil has been under the spotlight and in for criticism this season, so naturally we all want him to succeed, so when he does we’re all keen to emphasise it. As for Coquelin, he’s the archetypal ‘unlikely hero’ story that gets better and better each week. He got into the team with displays of energy and high intensity with the odd big tackle thrown in each game, but I’m starting to see more and more composure become obvious, with the more game time he’s getting. There was one moment – an innocuous one really – where he simply sheparded the ball out for a thrown in without touching the ball. That’s the simple intelligence that you need in a covering midfielder. Staying fit for the rest of the season will surely see him remain in the team – even when Arteta comes back.
So we keep third, despite the fact everyone around us also won, but it’s one game closer to the end goal of Champions League football. Next week it’s the FA Cup but for now we can relax in the knowledge that we’re looking good, in form and players are still banging goals in.
See you tomorrow.
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