Live coverage of Arsenal v Queens Park Rangers here

Theo Walcott
Arsenal striker Theo Walcott is set to make his return to action for the clash against QPR on Boxing Day Getty Images/Julian Finney

Arsenal welcome Queens Park Rangers to the Emirates Stadium on Friday in the 2014/15 Premier League.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 5.30pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be available on BT Sport 1. Live Radio commentary is available on BBC Radio 5 Live. Catch the highlights on Match of the Day at 11pm GMT on BBC One.

Overview

Arsenal welcome Queens Park Rangers for a London Derby on Boxing Day at the Emirates Stadium. Both teams will come into this game hoping for a morale boosting win ahead of the busy festive period which sees each team playing three games in the space of seven days.

Arsene Wenger has a lot of injury worries ahead of this game, and is still missing key players in midfield and defence. But Wenger does have some good news as Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Nacho Monreal have been passed fit and could feature against the Hoops.

The Gunners are coming into this game on the back of a poor performance against Liverpool, despite which they managed to salvage a point at Anfield. The manager will be keen to put that performance behind and put in a solid performance as they look to make up ground on their rivals for a place in the top four.

Charlie Austin
QPR's Charlie Austin is the league's in-form striker and is currently third in Premier League scoring charts just behind Aguero and Costa Getty Images

Meanwhile, QPR come into this game on the back of a morale boosting come-from-behind victory over West Bromwich Albion. The victory saw the Loftus Road outfit move out of the relegation zone for the first time since September.

Harry Redknapp has a fully fit squad to choose from and will most likely stick to the same team that beat the Baggies at the weekend for the visit to the Emirates Stadium. The manager will hope that striker Charlie Austin can continue his amazing goal scoring form into the game against Arsenal.

The English striker returned from suspension to score a hat-trick that helped QPR beat West Brom 3-1 after being 2-0 down at half-time.

Betting Odds (By 888Sport.com)

  • Arsenal Win: 1/4
  • Draw: 5
  • QPR Win: 25/2

What Managers Say

Arsene Wenger: "The difficulty is finding the right balance between rotation and the balance of the team without destabilising it. Therefore you sometimes have to limit the numbers of rotation."

Harry Redknapp [on Charlie Austin]: "We want to keep him here long term but we have to stay in the division this year, which I am confident we will do. If we do that I am sure that we can tie him down longer and secure his future at QPR. Charlie has proved he's a Premier League player and he wants to play in this division, but he has to keep scoring goals. He will keep his feet on ground as he's a very level-headed lad."

Team News

Arsenal

  • Injured: Diaby (calf), Özil (knee), Arteta (calf), Wilshere (ankle), Ramsey (hamstring), Koscielny (Achilles)
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Szczesny, Chambers, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Monreal, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott, Sanchez, Giroud, Welbeck

QPR

  • Injured: N/A
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Green, Onuoha, Dunne, Caulker, Yun, Hoilett, Barton, Kranjcar, Mutch, Fer, Austin

Arsenal FC Arsene Wenger