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QPR logo
Premier League
May 4, 2013 at 5.30pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-1)
Walcott (1')

Match Analysis: Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Arsenal

Match Analysis: Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Arsenal
© PA Photos
Sports Mole takes a look back over Arsenal's 1-0 victory away at Queens Park Rangers.

Theo Walcott's goal after 21 seconds was enough for Arsenal to take all three points from their trip to Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League this evening.

Despite having seen more of the ball thereafter, the Gunners were unable to add to their tally further.

Sports Mole looks back over the clash to determine if the result was a fair one.

Match statistics:

QPR:
Shots 14
On target 6
Possession 46%
Corners 3
Fouls 8

Arsenal:
Shots 13
On target 11
Possession 54%
Corners 7
Fouls 6

Was the result fair?

Sometimes a 1-0 scoreline would give people the impression that it was a close game - this one wasn't. Arsenal always seemed as though they were in control and probably should have scored one or two more.

QPR's performance

The R's looked like a side that would give anything for the season to end. During the first half they were chasing shadows and conceded a poor goal from their point of view. The second half was better, but they never really looked like they were going to score. If ever a game summed up why they are going down, this was it.

Arsenal's performance

It may sound a little daft, but perhaps the Gunners scored too early. It was a signal of how easy this game could have been and as a result, they seemed to take their foot of the gas a little bit. QPR had a couple of chances in the second half, but Arsenal never gave you the impression that they were going to let their slender advantage slip.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Tomas Rosicky: The Czech Republic midfielder has had his critics, but he made Arsenal tick today. He was the link between defence and attack and more often than not picked out a teammate with his passes. If he performed like this every week, he'd be worth his place in the starting lineup.

Biggest gaffe

The last thing Harry Redknapp would have said to his players before they went out for the start of the match would have been: 'Keep it tight and don't concede early'. So, with 21 seconds on the clock, what do they do? Leave Walcott all the time in the world to put his side in the lead. Poor defending all round.

Referee performance

You know what you are going to get from Mark Halsey. He's always up with play and does like to get his yellow card out. Despite that, every caution was warranted. He didn't put a foot wrong.

What next?

QPR: Next Sunday the R's will play host to struggling Newcastle United at Loftus Road.

Arsenal: Meanwhile, the Gunners are not in action until a week on Tuesday when Wigan Athletic visit the Emirates Stadium.

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Arsenal's Theo Walcott celebrates scoring the opening goal in the match with QPR on May 4, 2013
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