Theo Walcott scored the only goal of the game to give Arsenal an important 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Gunners came into the encounter one point behind Tottenham in the race for a Champions League spot, following Spurs’ victory over Southampton earlier in the day.
Arsenal was hoping for a quick start and that’s exactly what it got at Loftus Road as Walcott fired the visitors ahead less than a minute into the game.
Tomas Rosicky did well before finding Mikel Arteta, whose pinpoint pass found the Englishman in stride and he unleashed a low drive that hit the back of the net.
QPR looked dazed and confused after conceding the early goal and the Gunners almost doubled their advantage when Rosicky and Walcott hooked up once again.
The Czech veteran found the speedster, who turned his marker and let a drive go that struck the woodwork and stayed out.
QPR finally mustered up a chance just before the half-time break but Andros Townsend’s free kick just went wide of the target.
The hosts came out buzzing in the second half with Townsend twice testing Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who was up for the task.
Arsenal desperately needed an insurance goal as QPR was turning up the heat and almost found one when Walcott’s shot from long range brought out the best in Green.
QPR started to really go for it with 15 minutes left in the encounter and thought they had an equalizer but Szczesny made an excellent stop on Loic Remy to preserve the lead.
Arsene Wenger’s men were almost there and they knew it as they saw out the remaining five minutes with relative ease.
Theo Walcott was the hero for Arsenal as the Gunners leapfrogged Spurs and Chelsea into third spot in the Premier League table.