FOOTBALL: Premier League – Arsenal 1, QPR 0

Published: 31 December, 2011
by TOM FOOT

THE festive buzz was for Thierry Henry, but the front page of the matchday programme was emphatic: Arsenal's "Man of the Year" is Robin van Persie.

In a game that appeared to be destined for disappointment, the striker notched his 35th goal of an injury-free 2011. It took him one clear of Henry's record and the Frenchman rose from his seat in the stands to give brief applause.

The goal came after a suicidal backpass that found Andrey Arshavin with space. The much-maligned midfielder rolled a perfectly weighted pass into the oncoming van Persie. He swept it in, with a first-time shot on his favoured left foot, into the bottom corner. It was a serene finish and he raced over to the bench, singling out number 2 goalkeeper Manuel Almunia for a special hug.

The breakthrough came on 60 minutes after an uncomfortable performance remarkable for its absent-mindedness and shocking misses from Gervinho and Theo Walcott. Arsenal's spring-heeled attacking wingers do not have an eye for goal. Walcott's brain appeared to shut down, moments after he was set racing free one on one with the keeper after a through ball broke QPR's high line. The image was of total panic and uncertainty, Earlier on in the first half, Walcott chose to square instead of taking a first time shot at an open goal. It is said all too often, but where would Arsenal be without the calm and precision of RvP?

The striker was out of sorts in the first half. Whether it was the pressure of breaking the 2011 goals record, his movement was, by his standards, jerky and predictable. Three good chances flashed wide. QPR looked threatening on the counter-attack and had the best chances of the first 25 minutes. It was another clean sheet for Wojciech Szczesny – another Arsenal man of the year – who made some important stops in another assured performance.

Joey Barton – booed off at the end, pantomime villain-style – was booked for bashing Arteta's ankle in the first half. But there were few nasty challenges. Thomas Vermaelen was wrongly booked after Laurent Koscienly's foul.

The 1-0 win took Arsenal into the Champions League qualification places after Chelsea lost at home to Villa. A late leveller from Swansea against Spurs got a huge roar. The gap is three points with Spurs still to come to the Emirates.

Wenger said 2011 had been a "very difficult year" for the Gunners, adding that his team was "resolute, united and brace".

He added: "It was a bit like a repetition of the Wolves game because we didn't manage to score more than one goal. We got 3 points against a good QPR side, they have a good midfield and they played well.

"When you are in a difficult situation, you have to take the critics and focus on performing better. It is credit to these players, we were 18th in the league. There is now a formidable spirit in the side. That got us where we are today. The attitude and spirit are really great."

Vermaelen has a calf strain and Wenger said he was likely to miss two matches, adding that he would be looking for a left-back in the transfer window. "It would be stupid for us to drop points because we don't have a left-back," he said.

Emmanuel "Dench" Frimpong has gone on loan to Wolves, Wenger confirmed: "He is in the position of Wilshere and has Song in front of him. He needs practice, the rhythm of the games, and Mick McCarthy told me he has a good chance to play there."