Arsenal will try to get back to winning ways when they take on Queens Park Rangers at the Emirates stadium on Friday evening.
The Gunners will be looking to bounce back from the late equaliser they conceded against Liverpool in their 2-2 draw last week. The North London club are currently in 6th position in the League table and with away games coming up against West Ham and Southampton, this is certainly a must-win game.
A victory will take us close to a top four position and with West Ham playing Chelsea, a win will reduce the gap to one point in the race for top four.
The performance against Liverpool was one our poorest in the last decade and taking a point of that game should be considered a positive, however conceding to 10-man in the final minutes is just unacceptable.
Arsenal have only lost in one of the past seventeen boxing day fixtures and should continue that good run against a side that is yet to pick up a point and only scored three goals away this season. We should win this comfortably unless we produce a `similar display to that of last weekend.
TEAM NEWS
Let’s start with some good news as Ospina, Rosicky and Sanogo are all fit and will be available for selection, but none of them are likely to make it to the starting line-up.
Laurent Koscielny is back but is not expected to feature against the Rangers. Arteta is doing well although he is not expected to feature in any capacity until the New Year.
Bellerin is back and is expected to start from the bench. Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Ramsey are still recovering.
Wenger has hinted earlier in the week that he may rest Chambers, so Monreal is expected to accompany Mertesacker at the back with Debuchy moving back to favourable right-back position. Gibbs will continue at left-back.
Flamini will continue to anchor the midfield, while Cazorla and Chamberlain are likely to provide some attacking threat from the midfield.
Walcott is fully fit and after being an unused substitute in the last game, he is likely to start on the right wing replacing Sanchez, who is likely to be rested considering the hectic schedule we have going into the New Year. Welbeck and Giroud are likely to continue to lead the attack.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
http://www.footyformation.com/team/view/slug/j7F
Can Arsenal kick off the festive period with a win?
