Latest: Arsenal 2 QPR 0 – Ten men enough for the Gunners against Rangers

Tomas Rosicky’s goal midway through the second half left QPR facing the prospect of a 10th consecutive away defeat.

Trailing to Alexis’ Sanchez’s first-half goal, Rangers were given a boost when Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud was sent off on 53 minutes after appearing to headbutt Nedum Onuoha.

But the Gunners remained in control and doubled their lead courtesy of a low shot from Rosicky after he had been set up by Sanchez.

Sanchez atoned for a penalty miss by putting Arsenal ahead in a one-sided first half at the Emirates Stadium.

QPR had an early let-off when Sanchez’s woeful spot-kick was easily kept out by keeper Rob Green after Armand Traore, playing against his former club, had brought down the Arsenal man.

But Sanchez made no mistake eight minutes before the break when he headed in after being found unmarked by Kieran Gibbs’ cross.

That lapse came after Rangers, beaten in all nine of their away matches this season, had defended well.

They reverted back to three central defenders, with Rio Ferdinand recalled to the starting line-up while Traore was given a chance to impress at left wing-back in the absence of the injured Yun Suk-Young.

Traore performed poorly though and his team have been second best even since Arsenal were reduced to 10 men.

Rangers boss Harry Redknapp made a double change shortly after the hour mark, replacing Traore and Karl Henry with Junior Hoilett and Leroy Fer.

However, two minutes later the visitors fell further behind and look set for yet another loss on the road.

QPR: Green; Onuoha, Ferdinand, Caulker, Isla, Henry (Fer 63), Mutch, Kranjcar, Traore (Hoilett 63), Vargas, Austin.
Subs: McCarthy, Hill, Phillips, Wright-Phillips, Zamora.

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