Arsenal will be hoping to close the gap on defending champions Manchester City when they face QPR in midweek. The Gunners suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Monaco in the Champions League when they were beaten 3-1 at the Emirates. However the North London side was quick to respond and they picked a 2-0 win over Everton last time out.
Olivier Giroud who had a horrid night against Monaco returned on the score sheet and his opener along with Tomas Rosicky's goal late in the game was enough to seal all three points for Arsenal. Arsene Wenger hailed his striker after having kept faith in him and retaining him in the starting line up, the Frenchman praised the 28 year old for his mental strength as well as his work rate during the game.
"Olivier has one great quality; when his back is to the wall he has the personality to respond," he said.
"Because I know him better now, that's why I kept him in the team.
"I'm not happy only because he scored the goal but because of his work-rate. He's an important player in the box and with his presence up front and defensively."
Giroud thanked his manager for the faith he showed in him and is hopeful that his team can improve in the coming games.
"Arsene Wenger gave me the chance to bounce back," he told reporters.
"We wanted to do that together and I think we did well this afternoon. We will take things step by step.
"We just want to focus on our games, to keep doing what we are doing."
QPR come into this match at the back of a miserable run of games which has seen them lose four out of their last five matches. Aston Villa's win over West Brom means that QPR are likely to stay in the relegation zone this week however the Hoops do have a game in hand having not played during the weekend owing to Tottenham's involvement in the League Cup Final.
QPR will be relying on Charlie Austin to produce the goods who has scored 14 goals in the Premier League this season which includes one against the Gunners in the reverse fixture.
Arsenal have doubts on the availability of French international Francis Coquelin who fractured his nose during the league outing against Everton. The Gunners will certainly be without the likes of Jack Wilshere (ankle), Mathieu Flamini (hamstring) and Mikel Arteta (ankle) but Aaron Ramsey is expected to return to the squad.
QPR have no new injury concerns but will continue to be without the likes of Mauricio Isla, Leroy Fer, Richard Dunne, Sandro and Alejandro Faurlin, whereas captain Joey Barton will serve suspension after his red card against Hull City.
QPR vs Arsenal team sheets
QPR's Starters: Green, Furlong, Caulker, Onuoha, Suk-Young, Phillips, Sandro, Henry, Hoilett, Austin, Zamora.
Arsenal's Starters: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Gibbs, Coquelin, Cazorla, Rosicky, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud.
QPR's bench: McCarthy, Hill, Wright-Phillips, Isla, Kranjcar, Vargas, Zarate.
Arsenal's bench: Martinez, Koscielny, Chambers, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Welbeck.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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