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PREVIEW: Arsenal v QPR, Team News, Line-Up & Prediction

By on December 25, 2014

Lukas+Podolski

Arsenal kick off the festive period with a home clash against Queens Park Rangers on Boxing Day.

With away trips to West Ham and Southampton coming up next, this is certainly a ‘must-win’ game and anything other than three points will be considered as a disaster.

We go into the festive period sitting in 6th after last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Anfield, but have an excellent chance to close the gap on fourth-placed West Ham – who are away at Chelsea – to just one point tomorrow.

The draw against Liverpool was disappointing but let’s face it, we didn’t deserve to win the game. Even a point was fortunate considering how poor we were in the first half.

It doesn’t excuse us throwing away two points against 10-men in the final minute, but the performance annoyed me more than the result. Let’s hope we’re a lot better tomorrow.

Team News

Not for the first time this season, Arsene Wenger has a number of injuries to deal with.

Koscielny could be back to face the Hammers while Ramsey should return on New Years Day to take on Southampton, but unfortunately they’re both out tomorrow.

Arteta has suffered a little set-back and won’t play again until the New Year so he’s out along with Wilshere and Ozil.

The good news is that Rosicky, Ospina and Sanogo are all fit and available, but I wouldn’t expect any of the trio to start.

Preferred line-up

Arsene has admitted he’s over-played Chambers so he’s likely to be rested. I’d move Debuchy to right-back and bring in Monreal – who complements Per in the middle of defence.

I’d also like to see Coquelin given a chance in midfield. I’m no fan of Flamini so I’d like the youngster to be given a chance at home to see how he does. Plus, it will give Flamini a rest as he’s played week-in, week-out recently.

Sanchez should be rested with Podolski coming in while I’d also like to see Walcott make his first start in almost a year. He won’t be fit enough to play the entire game but let’s give him 60 minutes.

This is the team I’d go with:

Prediction

QPR are terrible away from home, winning none of their eight games on the road this season, so this has to be a home banker. Not even Arsenal could screw this one up, right?

I think we might make hard work of it but come out with a 2-0 win in the end. Arsenal 2-0 QPR.

Merry Christmas Gooners, let’s hope for a lovely present in the form of three points tomorrow….

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