Preview: QPR Vs Arsenal

QPR Possible line-up: 4-4-2 Kenny, Young, Onuoha, Ferdinand, Taiwo Barton, Derry, Diakite, Mackie Wright-Phillips Cisse

ARSENAL Possible line-up: 4-2-3-1 Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Santos Arteta, Song, Walcott, Rosicky, Gervinho Van Persie

Latest news: QPR
QPR defenders Fitz Hall and Clint Hill are both doubts for this match due to injury, meaning that Nedum Onuoha is likely to play alongside Anton Ferdinand at centre-back. Taye Taiwo will take the left-back slot with Armand Traore sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The Hoops could deploy Bobby Zamora in a lone forward role, having lost striker Djibril Cisse to suspension last weekend in addition to the injured Heidar Helguson and DJ Campbell. 

The recently-dropped Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips are in contention to return, and both could feature alongside the in-form Jamie Mackie.

Latest news: Arsenal
Arsenal have fielded a settled side in recent weeks, with Kieran Gibbs having recovered from injury problems to take his place at left-back, alongside Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny in defence behind Mikel Arteta and Alex Song in midfield.

Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky have played the last few matches for the Gunners in attack behind Robin van Persie, while Gervinho was last week preferred to Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left flank.

Interesting stats:

• QPR are just one point below safety in 18th place, having dismissed manager Neil Warnock and replaced him with Mark Hughes in January.

• The Hoops have won just one of their last eight Premier League matches, seeing Djibril Cisse sent off twice and Samba Diakite dismissed on his debut in the process.

• Hughes’ side have not kept a clean sheet for 21 Premier League games, their last coming in October when they held nine-man Chelsea at home for a 1-0 win. They have now conceded seven goals in their last three games.

• The London side have also struggled in attack despite several new arrivals in the transfer window, losing formerly ever-present midfielder Alejandro Faurlin along with eight-goal top-scorer Heider Helguson to injury in January.

• The last game between the two finished 1-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on December 31, as Robin van Persie (pictured right) scored his 35th league goal in 2011, one short of Alan Shearer’s record for most league goals in a calendar year.

• A run of form has pushed the Gunners up to third place in the Premier League, three points ahead of rivals Tottenham, as they chase a Champions League spot.

• Wenger’s side have scored two or more goals away from home in the league nine times this season.

Highlights will be up on this blog immeadiatey after the game.

Which players should Arsenal sell with this summer?

So, who exactly makes up Arsenal's deadwood™: by TS

It is accepted by almost all Arsenal fans that there is deadwood in our team that needs sorting out in order to free up space – both financially and in terms of squad size – for new, more useful signings.

In my opinion, Squillaci, Almunia, Bendtner and Denilson are all universally accepted as deadwood.

I may also have to say that Park should go. Many shall point to the goal against Bolton as evidence of potential, but I really can't see why he hasn't been given more chances so far this season if he truly is a quality player (he has made only 6 appearances all season, and many of them were cameos). And while I hope that I am proved wrong by the South Korean captain, at the moment, I don't think that he is fulfilling much purpose.

In addition, I think that Vela too must step out. My verdict on him was a tough one as he has, no doubt, shown finishing ability and makes intelligent runs. But I can't really see him stepping in and playing up top very effectively. So that means that he would have to play on the wings and, in many other teams, he could. But in this particular side, he would have to battle his way past Theo, the Ox, Gervinho and possibly Miyaichi to get an appearance. Surely, it would be as good for the Vela as for us if he moved on to a different club?

And I think that thats about it in terms of who should leave. There are some who may appear in other peoples list like Diaby, Djourou and Arshavin, who I still think can contribute to the club. I think that if Arshavin can come back from Zenit with some inspiration, he could give our team an extra spark next season. Diaby, in my opinion, is a real force when uninjured, and remember that he is only 25, so has plenty of time to regain his top form!

Finally, Djourou. Now, I have been his biggest critic in the past and, I think, justifiably so. He is often far too gung-ho in his play and sometimes doesn't do the simple things well. That said, I realise that he is actually decent player of the ball and has composure on the pitch which is borne out of natural confidence, which can be an admirable trait. So, if he can iron out the odd disastrous mistake, I am willing to give him another chance next season.

So that brings me to my conclusion. My deadwood list is:

Almunia
Squillaci
Denilson
Park
Bendtner
Vela