Arsenal vs QPR Player Ratings

Arsenal

Szczęsny - 7
It's amazing to think how quickly Szczesny has now made himself the Gunner's undisputed first choice keeper!

Koscielny - 7.5
Escaped the punishment for hacking down Wright-Phillips, but his teammate paid the price instead. Probably Arsenal's most consistent defender this season.

Mertesacker - 6.5
Had a relatively easy game as the QPR strikers could not find a way past his long legs and towering headers.

Vermaelen (54' off) - 6.5
He was shown a yellow for a crime he did not commit. How can the referees not be a candidate for abuse if they make simple errors like this?

Djourou - 6.5
A good all round display from the stand in right back. Could have provided his team with more width if he made more runs forward.

Song - 6.5
Was probably bored playing his usual holding role so he decided to make plenty of runs into the opponent's penalty box and make a nuisance of himself.

Arteta - 7
Dictated the entire Arsenal play from the middle of the pack, but lacked the guts to make the risky pass forward to open up defenses.

Arshavin (67' off) - 6.5
Wasn't effective on the wings for the majority of the match, except for that through pass for Van Persie's goal.

Ramsey - 6
His spectacular volley was ruined by Barton, who was diligently guarding his post. Nothing special from him otherwise.

Walcott (75' off) - 5
Did the Christmas goodies or the parties affect his performances? He looked like he was carrying feet of lead and

Van Persie - 7.5
Had a hat-trick of chances in the first half hour alone but finally grabbed the match winner. Truly a gifted footballer as you see him making assists despite chasing down Alan Shearer's record.

Subs

Coquelin (54' on) - 6.5
Showed lots of versatility and enthusiasm throughout the game despite being played out of his ideal position.

Rosicky (67' on) - 6
Surprised everyone with his bursts of speed and industrious runs forward, something the Arsenal faithful don't see very often these days.

Gervinho (75' on) - 5
Football is a team sport, not a one man show. Until he learns that, Arsenal may not be able to kill off games thanks to him.

Q.P.R.

Cerny - 6
Made a couple of good blocks, but it all amounted to nothing after a trademark "low and hard" finish from Van Persie which saved the game for Arsenal.

Connolly - 6
Had a chance at the back posts to level the scores, but could not keep it down.

Gabbidon - 6
Had a decent game against a lacklustre Arsenal side. Could not do anything about the goal as he was just a fraction too far to make the block.

Traore (78' off) - 7.5
The left back read the game well and crippled Walcott for the entire first half. The former Arsenal man could actually be starting on a regular basis this term if he didn't make the switch to QPR.

Young - 6.5
The veteran right back looked solid defensively and made a fair contribution going forward as well. The Arsenal players were frantically appealing for a penalty after the ball stuck his hand in the box.

Faurlin - 5
Outpassed, outclassed and outplayed. Barely had a whiff of the ball.

Barton - 7
Despite his bad boy reputation, his contributions in both halves of the pitch were top notch, making more pass completion than Arteta.

Wright-Phillips - 7
Blessed with a low centre of gravity, he always remained on his feet rather than going to ground for a foul. Still trying to find his form after his move to Q.P.R.

Mackie (74' off) - 5.5
Despite being the enthusiastic runner and chaser of the ball, he did not have much to show and his runs were easily dealt with by the Arsenal defenders.

Bothroyd (64' off) - 6
The big man could not match Mertesacker in the air, but occasionally managed to expose his lack of pace to create small pockets of space for himself.

Taarabt - 6
Could not penetrate Arsenal's stubborn defence, but his return back into the first team is definitely looking promising.

Subs

Campbell (64' on) - 5.5
A quiet return back into the squad. Requires more matches and confidence and he will be back to his glory days.

Smith (74' on) - 5
Barely touched the ball in the short time he was on. No one would blame him for chasing shadows when Arsenal have the lead and were just passing the ball around.

Orr (78' on)
N/A