Four things we learnt from the Arsenal-QPR game

After dropping two vital points against Wolves, Arsenal ended a fairly low-key 2011 on a high by grabbing a 1-0 win against a QPR side who gave a good account of themselves. On one hand, Arsenal were guilty of some profligacy in front of goal, with Theo Walcott and Gervinho being particularly culpable of lashing the ball wide, and the Gunners will feel they probably should have won by more. But Neil Warnock’s side had a few good sights at goal themselves; and on a day when Man United and Chelsea lost to unfancied opposition at home and Tottenham dropped points as well, Arsenal will be happy to grind out a positive result that sees them end the year in fourth place.

Here are four things I could garner from the game. They are my own opinions, apart from the one about referee Atkinson, which will surely be universal.

Martin Atkinson is clueless

Refereeing standards have been poor in the Premier League of late, and Martin Atkinson had a shocker officiating this game. Errors were scattered throughout the ninety minutes like birdseed in an aviary, with missed penalty decisions, wrongly given yellow cards, elbows rammed into faces that he didn’t see and more.

In the 19^th minute, Andrey Arshavin and Adel Taraabt were fighting for a loose ball, when the QPR player blatantly pushed his elbow into the Russian’s face, leaving him floored. A red card under standard refereeing rules, but Atkinson surprisingly waved play on and didn’t even give a foul. In the 35^th minute, Arsenal had forced a succession of corners and the ball came out to Koscielny who volleyed a shot against Luke Young’s arm. While the shot was fired at great pace and a penalty would have been a contentious decision, there have been similar calls given.

Villain of the match

If the previous call was borderline, this next one was as clear as custard, but still went by unnoticed. A cross from the left hand side clearly struck Barton on the arm and went out of play, but neither the ref nor linesman saw anything of substance to award a spot-kick.

The proverbial cherry on this very distasteful cake came when QPR broke down the right-hand side after Koscielny mistimed a tackle on Shaun Wright-Phillips. The ref called advantage, and went back and hilariously booked Thomas Vermaelen instead of Koscielny for the challenge in question later. The decision wasn’t reversed after half-time as well, and had the Belgian committed a rash tackle, he might have been sent off for two yellows where one wasn’t for him at all. The mind boggles.

Van Persie is a miracle-worker whose magic powder may run out

Inevitably, Arsenal’s favourite Dutchman was the difference between the two teams in the end, latching onto Arshavin’s perfectly weighted through ball in the second half and sweeping the ball into the net. But it was only after he had missed two presentable opportunities, in addition to Walcott spurning two glaring chances.

This article is in no way berating van Persie of missing the opportunities in question; he did superbly well to fashion the chances in the first place, slaloming away from countless players before lashing a shot over for the first and judging the bounce of the ball from a Vermaelen long-pass for the second. But the fact is, van Persie will have bad games sooner or later, because very player has them. Or he’ll have a muscle pull or strain that will keep him out for a week or two, because every player has them. And Arsenal need another source of goals during that time.

He can only do so much

Looking at today, and over the course of the season as well, there is no lack of opportunities being created elsewhere, although the finishing has been uniformly questionable. Ramsey, Walcott, Gervinho- all of them could have had goals today, and other days too; and they’ll have to start putting more of these chances away to ease the load on our miracle-worker.

Henry might help.

Big Mertesacker has finally settled in

It took time, it took sceptical glances and words from many-a newspaper, but Per Mertesacker has finally eased into his role at Arsenal. The nascent stages of his career were rife with the odd mix-up or schoolboy error, but the lanky German was flawless against Wolves and QPR. Indeed, his performances have become increasingly secure as the months have worn by, something that was expected from a seasoned international with over 70 caps for Germany.

The BFG has eased his way in

His reading of the game was excellent as he made many smart interceptions, and virtually all of his clearing headers were aimed at Arsenal shirts. Mertesacker swears by clean tackling, and has picked up only one yellow card in his time as an Arsenal player so far. Although he doesn’t seem too chirpy on the pitch, captain van Persie has heaped praise on players like him, Arteta and Benayoun for being vocal in the dressing room and ensuring that the squad remains focused on the task at hand.

Arsenal’s full-back situation is no longer funny

Many people would say that it had already crossed the border from being jocular to jittery some time ago, but things have now truly come to a head. With Vermaelen’s calf strain keeping him out for the Fulham and Leeds games, if not longer, Wenger half-admitted half-refuted going into the market for a short-term left back in his post-game press conference.

Although Coquelin came on and performed admirably for thirty-odd minutes, that does not lessen the need for a player on the flanks one bit. Apart from the defensive shape it provides, a full-back also gives attacking options to the winger ahead of him, being ready with an overlapping run so as to confuse opposition defenders. These overlapping runs have been conspicuous in their absence ever since Arsenal’s full-back plague started, and are partially at fault for the off games their wingers are having recently.

Arsenal's next left-back?

It’ll be a stiff task finding a suitable player however, with Wayne Bridge being the only name touted so far. Arsenal also have to keep in mind the 25 man rule and the number of loan slots allotted to a club in the process.

All of this, while necessary, is for another day. Today, Arsenal can welcome the new year’s Sun with a small smile on their faces; fourth place is certainly a pleasant surprise after their miserable start. Wenger’s hope would be to keep the surprises coming.