After an excellent start it was another close call. Arsenal dominated the majority of the game, even after they went down to 10 men, but in the last 10 minutes QPR gave it all they got and I got that horrible feeling that another equaliser was on the cards.
However, it appeared that luck was back on our side (maybe to make up for Charlie Austin being awarded a dodgy penalty and subsequently scoring in the 78th minute) together with a spot of fortuitous defending by Mathieu Flamini. Alexis Sánchez failed to convert his penalty in the ninth minute but made up for it when he scored in the 39th minute before assisting Tomas Rosicky with his first goal of the season in the 65th minute.
However, the one thing that the game will most be remembered for is Olivier Giroud’s reaction to a shove by QPR’s Nedem Onuoha that resulted in his red card. For those of you who missed it, here it is in all its glory:
Red card to @Arsenal. Olivier #Giroud with a needless headbutt. #AFCvQPR https://t.co/x7Q551tBeP — BeanBagSports (@BeanBagSports) December 26, 2014
Here’s what fans and non-fans alike had to say:
wtf Giroud. Red card. I’d hardly call it a headbutt but it was always going to be a red. Stupid, stupid boy — Sydneygooner (@sydneygooner) December 26, 2014
Giroud have u got any brain cells. U can’t headbutt someone right in front of the ref. ffs — Heisenberg (@nathandixon1) December 26, 2014
Absolute moron. Always liked him but should be sacked right now. #giroud — Spencer Morgan (@spencermorgan93) December 26, 2014
There is Giroud’s meaty French forehead again — Matt – RBNYTweets (@RBNYTweets) December 26, 2014
Though some thought it was well-deserved:
Did some fans miss the shove by the defender on Giroud before he jumped up and confronted him. I’d have slapped him tbh. — OBG (@OldBaldGooner) December 26, 2014
Only in football would that be called a ‘headbutt’. Foolish from Giroud but players do that silly ‘touch foreheads posturing’ all the time — Alastair Brookshaw (@albrookshawAFC) December 26, 2014
To be fair to Giroud, it was barely a headbutt. Besides, where is the free kick for the shove? — FG (@FunnyGooner) December 26, 2014
While others thought Giroud should have done a better job:
If you’re going to head-butt him, do him properly. Leave him floored. Poor & weak by Giroud. — FK² (@fkhanage) December 26, 2014
Also, Monsieur Giroud, if you must show a stupid reaction then at least headset properly; your half-attempt seemed like a waste of a red — AB (@behnisch) December 26, 2014
Giroud can’t even headbutt someone properly tbh — Malexis. (@TheGunnerfly) December 26, 2014
But this has to be my favourite Tweet of them all:
Surprised Giroud’s attack of choice is the headbutt. Real danger of messing up his hair. — Feverpitch (@feverpitch) December 26, 2014