Arsenal Goalkeeper Aware Of QPR's Tottenham Connection

Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is wary that Queens Park Rangers' connections with Tottenham Hotspur will make for a tough afternoon this Saturday.

Relegated QPR welcome Arsene Wenger's side to Loftus Road this weekend, and a number of members of the R's contingent may have an extra reason to dent the Gunners' hopes of finishing in the top four.

Rangers boast two former Spurs players in Jermaine Jenas and Adel Taarabt in their ranks, in addition to Andros Townsend who is on loan from Andre Villas-Boas' side. Most formidably, former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp currently occupies the QPR hot seat, with his two assistants Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond in tow, also once of the Tottenham parish.

Fabianski, who will miss this weekend's game with a rib injury, is not expecting an easy game to any degree, but believes the 'Spurs Factor' could play its part.

"For sure it will be a tough game," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "For them it will be the kind of game to give something back to the fans and show that they maybe didn't deserve to go down.

"I think most of their coaching staff have some relations with Tottenham so maybe they will put out a team that means we will drop points and help Spurs.

"It will be a tough game but looking at our away results from recent games, I think we're in a good position.

Although QPR's relegation has been officially confirmed for a week - unofficially for much longer - their record against the top seven sides in the league is respectable. While they suffered home defeats to Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, Redknapp's side were unbeaten against Tottenham, Chelsea, Everton and Manchester City at Loftus Road.

With those performances in mind, Wenger refuses to discount the threat of the west London club, insisting his players will have to be at their best to ensure they pick up all three points.

"In the Premier League, we watched their recent three or four games," Wenger said. "All the games were tight so we want to make sure that this little percentage goes for us. [We need] focus, more determination.

"It can happen yes, that they play under less pressure, with less fear. It can of course be very dangerous."

The Gunners will be without Olivier Giroud for the trip to Loftus Road as he continues to serve his three match suspension following his red card at Fulham, while Fabianski is expected to return to full fitness next week.