Queens Park Rangers fell to a ninth consecutive Premier League away defeat courtesy of a 2-1 loss at the hands of 10-man Arsenal at the Emirates this evening.
Alexis Sanchez gave his side the lead having missed an earlier penalty, while Tomas Rosicky doubled the advantage despite Olivier Giroud being sent off at the start of the second half.
QPR pushed for a way back into the match and found it when Charlie Austin dispatched a penalty, but they couldn't come up with a second as the Gunners held on.
Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out during an entertaining London derby on Boxing Day.
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ARSENAL
Goal
Wojciech Szczesny: Did not have much to do all game, particularly until Giroud's red card. Could not do anything about the goal, and dealt with some testing balls into the box late on. (6/10)
Defence
Mathieu Debuchy: Back on the right and always a willing runner forward, causing problems time after time on the flank. Was wrongly penalised for a trip on Hoilett inside the box, leading to QPR's goal. (7/10)
Per Mertesacker: Was barely involved for the majority of the match as Arsenal controlled possession. Dealt with most of the danger that came his way with minimum fuss, though. (6/10)
Nacho Monreal: Back in the middle and, like Mertesacker, would have been happy to have a largely quiet evening. (6/10)
Kieran Gibbs: Perhaps fortunate not to give away a penalty for a challenge on Zamora late on. Did provide the assist for the opening goal, however, and was generally a useful outlet down the left. (7/10)
Midfield
Mathieu Flamini: Made a good late clearance right in front of his own keeper, but was untroubled for long periods of the match as QPR struggled to keep the ball. (6/10)
Tomas Rosicky: A very impressive return from injury. Was heavily involved during his time on the field, keeping things moving with neat passing and positive runs. Capped off a good performance with what proved to be the winning goal. (8/10)
Santi Cazorla: Helped his side completely dominate possession for the majority of the match, passing the ball about intelligently and providing creativity for the hosts. (7/10)
Attack
Alexis Sanchez: A match-winning performance. Atoned for a poor penalty by scoring the opening goal and also providing a very good assist for the second. Was a constant danger throughout with his quick feet, pace and direct running. (8/10)
Olivier Giroud: Was anonymous for much of the match until his mindless red card. Needlessly thrust his head into Onuoha's and, while the QPR defender went down dramatically, it was stupid from Giroud right in front of the referee. Put his side under needless pressure and almost cost them the result. (4/10)
Danny Welbeck: Struggled to provide the same impact as Sanchez on the opposite flank. Always looked for a way through, but ultimately couldn't make a substantial difference. (6/10)
Substitutes
Calum Chambers: Came on with seven minutes of normal time remaining and struggled to deal with Hoilett during his time on the field. (6/10)
Francis Coquelin: Picked up a booking during his short cameo having been brought on to hold off the QPR pressure. (6/10)
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QPR
Goal
Rob Green: Made a good stop to deny Sanchez from the penalty spot, but should have done better with the winning goal despite Rosicky's effort taking a deflection. (6/10)
Defence
Mauricio Isla: Named as a wing-back but mainly played in what was often a back five. Struggled to get forward until the red card, but grew into the game a little from then on. (6/10)
Nedum Onuoha: Was the man on the end of Giroud's 'headbutt', but a player of his size should not be going down like that. Held firm at the back despite plenty of Arsenal pressure in the first half. (6/10)
Rio Ferdinand: Clearly not the player he used to be, but his experience got him into some good positions to make a number of important interceptions. (6/10)
Steven Caulker: Stood up to the barrage of Arsenal attacks in the first half. The Gunners got in behind down the flanks a number of times, but QPR's three central defenders did a good job of protecting Green. (6/10)
Armand Traore: Not a match he will remember fondly. Gave away a penalty with a stupid challenge on Sanchez and then completely lost the Chilean for the opening goal. Subbed shortly after the hour following a dreadful display in which Sanchez ran him ragged. (3/10)
Midfield
Jordon Mutch: Was chasing shadows for much of the match as Arsenal's midfield dominated proceedings until the red card. (5/10)
Karl Henry: Could do nothing to prevent the Arsenal midfield pulling the strings. Gave the ball away numerous times when QPR simply needed to keep hold of it to alleviate the pressure. (4/10)
Niko Kranjcar: Brought in to provide a bit of creativity, but that was sorely lacking. Came into the match a little towards the end of the second half, but by then it was too little too late. (4/10)
Attack
Eduardo Vargas: Got very little service as QPR struggled to create anything in the opening 50 minutes or so. Did provide some nice pieces of play when his side began to come into the match, however. (6/10)
Charlie Austin: A thankless task for much of the match given QPR's inability to keep hold of the ball. Did come up with the goal, however, smashing his penalty down the middle. (6/10)
Substitutes
Leroy Fer: Gave his side more of a presence and goal threat from midfield having replaced Henry just past the hour. (6/10)
Junior Hoilett: A mixed bag. Fortunate to win the penalty but did pose problems for the Arsenal defence during his time on the field. However, having got into good positions, his final ball was more often than not poor. (6/10)
Bobby Zamora: Unlucky not to be awarded a late penalty after a challenge from Gibbs. Gave his side more of a physical presence up front, which Arsenal struggled to deal with. (6/10)
Barney Corkhill
