QPR vs Arsenal Preview: Harry’s midfield shape key against rampant Arsenal

While Arsenal hosted the League Champions last Sunday, they now travel to QPR where the relegated Rangers face the Loftus Road faithful for the first time. Though Reading fans were gentle on their team after being relegated alongside QPR; Jose Bosingwa’s sheepish grin down the tunnel, Harry’s premature acceptance of the lower league and Joey Barton stirring the pot from foreign lands, would have left the fans at the formidable Road infuriated.

Apart from all of the above, this in fact is yet another one of the London derbies. In the reverse fixture, Stephen M’bia’s stupid tackle left Hughes’ QPR just falling short in a 2-1 defeat at the Emirates. Though from then on Tony Fernandez has brought in another host of fresh players and also the relegation-expert Harry Rednapp, there has rarely been any of the vigor that the eagerly promoted QPR had shown 2 seasons ago.

Following the well accepted cliché, the Rangers will be playing for pride against Arsenal on Saturday. There have been allegations of disinterest and slacking amongst the QPR group even during the crucial final weeks of battle, and one does not see how a contest of no value would bestir any fresh motivation in them. Ironically, Harry has never been renowned for his game changing tactics or strategies, but has rather been known as a brilliant man-manager and motivator. But not even Rednapp could decipher the way to pacify the huge egos present in this QPR dressing room.

Arsenal, on the other hand, is still in the hunt for a top 4 finish. They stand currently 1 point behind Chelsea and 2 above Spurs; but a look at the number of games played by each team would show you that CL is not yet confirmed for Wenger. With the team feeling the brunt of the critics having wasted a chance of getting 3 points after a dominating display against United, suspensions and lack of form for key players can hit the Gunners hard.

Team News

Wenger is still without Giroud due to his 3 match ban. Wilshere has been suffering from lack of fitness and reports suggest that Lukas Podolski is also having issues with his ankle. So, the chances of Gervinho starting alongside Walcott will increase in that case. Nacho Monreal will come in at left back as he and Gibbs seem to occupying that spot alternately.

Redknapp again has a huge squad at his disposal and will be looking to gain the confidence of a few key players in order to avoid an exodus in the summer. Bobby Zamora returns from suspension and will go straight back into the team. Loic Remy has been an Arsenal target in the past, and the Frenchman will continue to attract Wenger’s attention with such performances. Granero, M’bia and Jenas will be looking to continue their recent run of games, with the option of the advanced winger will open to Taraabt or Hoilett. Ji Sung Park has not been as influential as had been suggested initially, but Harry will surely be aware of the Park’s impressive shows against Arsenal on many previous occasions.

Expected Starting XI:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertersacker, Koscienly, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosisky, Cazorla, Podolski, Walcott

QPR: Green, Bosingwa, Hill, Samba, Traore, Granero, M’bia, Jenas, Park, Zamora, Remy

Matching Arsenal’s midfield, QPR’s deep midfield worries

Much of Arsenal’s early dominance against United was due to Rooney’s positioning in a high-up No.10. This allowed Arsenal trio to dominate over Carrick and Jones, and this would certainly be rectified by Rednapp here by playing the trio of Granero, M’bia and Jenas. Jemaine Jenas has been played as the advanced midfielder in this trio and again he would be preferred here over Adel Taraabt, who rarely cares to get involved in the defencive ethic of the team.

The duo of Granero and M’bia are much deeper midfielders, with Granero being the distributer from deep and M’bia the one to run forward with the ball. Granero has rarely shown his streaks of brilliance from his Madrid days and has been deployed at way too deep positions. In fact, that again was the flaw in the Rangers’ plan in the reverse fixture, as Arsenal’s midfield were able to prosper in the loads of space in front of the QPR duo. Now again with Rosisky returning to top form and Aaron Ramsey in the form of his life, life could get worse for Harry if he doesn’t play a tough tackling player in front of defence.

Adding to the duo of Rosisky and Ramsey, Wenger will surely retain Cazorla from the weekend squad. Playing the Spaniard on the left would mean that he will surely drift in besides ‘the little Mozart’. This again adds to the presence of talented ball-players in front of the QPR duo.

QPR’s defencive shambles, No pressure on Arsenal’s fullbacks

In case Wenger looks to play Podolski in attack, it would again resemble the model similar to the one on Sunday. Manchester United were able to get away with a draw only due to the mean presence of Ferdinand and Evans at the back; but unfortunately for Harry, his duo of Clint Hill and the returning Samba would be steamrolled if they stay deep and invite pressure.

With 4 midfielders attacking through the centre and Theo Walcott always looking to fall in as the 2^nd striker from the right, it will not be surprising to see both of QPR’s fullbacks to be pulled narrow. Bosingwa and Traore have had awful seasons to say the least, and will now have to deal with extremely contrasting wingers in Cazorla and Walcott. This narrowing of defence often sees Arsenal’s fullbacks getting into good crossing positions; more often Sagna than Gibbs. But due to Giroud’s absence in the centre and Podolski’s deeper movements, crosses coming in would be meant for Walcott to attack. And in an aerial battle against Samba and Hill, the winner would be obvious. So to trump this weakness Wenger might look to use the pace of Walcott upfront against these 2 slow paced defenders.

The game, though looks a certain victory for 3 points for Arsenal, could take a twist or two due to the presence of some of Wenger’s arc nemesis in Zamora, Samba and Park in QPR’s ranks. Though Zamora might not take center stage in order to pack the team with midfielders rather, Park could very well be deployed in the left wing to back up Traore against the likes of Sagna and Walcott. Park’s selection on the left would mean that the right wing’s spot would be fight between Remy, Taraabt and Hoilett; though if Spurs’ loanee Andros Townsend recovers from a hamstring pull, the spot is surely his.

Rednapp prepares for life in the Championship after he settled his deal with Tony Fernandes over the week. Though QPR will no doubt spend again, even though it might be on much fewer stars this time around; as Joey Barton puts it, the Championship is a very tough league and will not be a easy path for a group of lethargic and uninspired players.

PIE’s Prediction: QPR 0-2 Arsenal

Player to watch out: Aaron Ramsey