The last match for the Gunners at Carrow Road did not go so well for the London side. An extremely lackluster performance with not much creativity or urgency in the offensive half carried over into their Champions League match midweek.
Fans filled the Emirates Stadium hoping to watch Arsenal bounce back from their second Premier League defeat, but once again, Arsene Wenger's side seemed out of it. Santi Cazorla's trickery and outstanding passing weren't enough for Arsenal to get the three points.
Bouncing back at home against a last-placed Queens Park Rangers will be extremely important for Arsenal.
Arsenal Team News
Going into the season, not many fans or critics believed that the Gunners could realistically compete for the Premier League title. The sales of Robin van Persie and Alex Song in the summer transfer window really had fans questioning the Arsenal administration, which isn't anything new.
Having started with two draws and a victory away to Liverpool, fans started to believe, but their last two performances have the critics out in full force once again.
Fortunately for Arsenal, they could finally embrace the return of Jack Wilshere after being out of the team for 18 months due to injury. Kieran Gibbs, who has been out due to a thigh injury, may also be available for Arsene Wenger. The return of Gibbs will be a big boost to the team considering the poor performances Andre Santos put in against Norwich and Schalke.
Norwich Team News
Still without a win in the current season, Queens Park Rangers are very much desperate to grab their first victory. Mark Hughes continues to be under pressure considering the large investment the London side made in the offseason.
Last week's draw to Everton brought some positive signs, but they will still need to improve if they want to get themselves out of the relegation zone.
QPR winger Adel Taraabt believes that the draw against Everton could be a turning point for his side.
"Arsenal will be a tough game, but we played some good stuff against Everton and we are going there to win. We have to keep going and with a little bit of luck, we'll start to win. At the moment we don't have the points to show for it, but I'm sure they will soon come, hopefully starting at Arsenal," said Taraabt.
Head to Head
12/31/11 - Arsenal 1-0 QPR
03/31/12 - QPR 2-1 Arsenal
Prediction
Shareholders got the chance to ask the Arsenal board questions on Thursday, following their disappointing loss against Schalke the night before. The Arsenal fans continue to be frustrated with the lack of ambition, spending and answers from their directors, but Arsene Wenger continues to have the respect of the fans.
Bouncing back from two defeats won't be easy for the Gunners, but a match at home against a winless QPR side should be enough to see Wenger's side claim three points.
The only concern for the hosts will be if they come out flat-footed and lacking pace. The fans will start to get impatient and will be sure to let the players know that.
As for QPR, seeking a victory and traveling to Arsenal should give them an opportunity to pull off a shock result. Not many believe they can even grab a point, so being able to play with less pressure should allow Mark Hughes' squad to play with confidence.
Wilshere's return will be a big boost to Wenger's side, as well as Gibbs.
With Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out due to injury, Arsenal will have to look to Gervinho and Lukas Podolski to stretch the field and provide good service for Olivier Giroud.
Arsenal 2-0 Queens Park Rangers
