Arsenal take the short trip down the road to Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday night, on the back of a reassuring 2-0 victory over Everton.
The Gunners are looking to make it seven away wins in the Premier League, which will maintain their position at third in the Premier League.
Liverpool and United are both breathing down the necks of the Gunners, which can only be a positive for Wenger’s men. Fresh Arsenal take a look at the main talking points for Wednesday night.
Key Men
Arsenal – Mesut Ozil
After adding two more assists to his collection in the win over Everton, only Cesc Fabregas can boast better stats since the German’s arrival. His experience and creativity is what makes him a threat on Wednesday night, with QPR failing to have any leadership at the back, they will make clumsy decisions when Ozil clips balls over the top.
He’s really enjoying his football at the moment, but the thing with Ozil is if it doesn’t start well then that usually pans out the rest of his game. A good start where he can lead the line is what’s needed, because when he enjoys his football, he produces the goods.
QPR – Charlie Austin
The Englishman began the season linked with an England call-up, and quite frankly has been the saviour of this struggling side. His 14 goals in all competitions shows he’s just as deadly as Giroud, who shares his ability to range from holding up play and making the break in the box.
In terms of goal threat, Austin is the man who we need to fear, but I feel if we line up with Gabriel and Koscielny then he’ll simply be bullied off the ball.
Likely Approach
Pressure is once again creeping from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, so this is a great chance to maintain that place in the top four. The Everton game was an improvement in confidence from both the players and fans, but it wasn’t the dominating Arsenal side we know we can see.
Arsenal need to keep up their impressive away form, and will do that by intimidating QPR from the beginning. It will be a tough one for the Gunners, but if they can attack early and pick up two goals in the first half then I can see QPR deflating.
Prediction: QPR 1-3 Arsenal
Although they’re struggling at the wrong end of the table, this QPR side are doing there best to hold onto the fortress that Loftus Road was last year in the Championship. It will be tough for some of these Arsenal players, as it was for the trip to Brighton. The pitch isn’t in great condition, and the stadium atmosphere is very tight which has a huge impact on the quality of the crowd.
QPR have had a decent rest in the Premier League after missing out on games this weekend, so they’ll all be fighting fit to produce an upset in this London derby.
However, I predict a comfortable win for Arsenal here, they have to dominate attacking lines from the start and kill this game off in the first half. Too many fixtures in 2015 have led to a shaky ending, so I would like to see us getting the early and then maintain control through the middle of the park.
QPR may nick the odd goal at the end, just like Crystal Palace, but overall this should be a comfortable win to keep the Gunners third in the league.