Arsene Wenger's blue-eyed boy did it again. Arsenal's New Year eve match against Queens Park Rangers at Emirates Stadium saw them spoil several opportunities before finally relying on Robin van Persie for the winner. Rangers tasted defeat 0-1 and the Gunners moved back into the top four of the Premier League table taking all the three points.

The Gunners, in fact, badly needed a win to keep their hopes alive. QPR came up with a remarkable show in the initial phase of the game. Van Persie himself had a couple of chances earlier but a finish evaded him until 60 minutes.

The Dutch completed 35 Premier League goals in 2011, breaking French legend Thierry Henry's Arsenal record of 34 goals in a calendar year. And none other than Henry himself was there to cheer him. But Van Persie fell just one goal short of Alan Shearer's 16-year-old record for Premier League goals in a calendar year.

Here are the highlights of the match:

Arsenal-QPR
Arsenal's Robin Van Persie shoots for goal as he is challenged by Queens Park Rangers' Matthew Connelly during their English Premier League soccer match in London. Reuters
Arsenal-QPR
Former Arsenal player Thierry Henry watches the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers at the Emirates Stadium in London. Reuters
Arsenal-QPR
Arsenal's Per Mertesacker is challenged by Queens Park Rangers' Jay Bothroyd during their English Premier League soccer match in London. Reuters
Arsenal-QPR
Queens Park Rangers manager Warnock reacts during their English Premier League soccer match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London Reuters
Arsenal-QPR
Arsenal's Walcott reacts after missing a chance to score during their English Premier League soccer match against Queens Park Rangers at the Emirates Stadium in London. Reuters