QPRs search for an away point in the Premier League will go into the New Year following a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal at The Ermirates Stadium.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Arsenal's Olivier Giroud is shown a red card by referee Martin Atkinson during the Barclays Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London.Arsenal's Olivier Giroud is shown a red card by referee Martin Atkinson during the Barclays Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

The visitors were on the back foot from the start with the excellent Alexis Sanchez performing a juggling act down the right wing.

The former Barcelona man was in the mood to impress and cause trouble for the Rs defence which was set up in a 3-5-2 formation with Rio Ferdinand recalled to the starting line up for the first time since October.

With QPR striggling to get a foot hold on the game, a rash challenge from Armand Traore on Sanchez gave the Gunners the perfect opportunity to grab an early goal but the Chilean’s weak penalty was comfortably saved by Rob Green.

It was a double let off for QPR as Traore also escaped a booking for his foul on Sanchez.

Green again did well to push away a free kick from Olivier Giroud but it was a matter of time before the home side made the breakthrough their dominance served and it came thanks to Sanchez.

After patient build up play the ball was fed wide to Giroud who picked out the unmarked Sanchez at the back post to head home the opening goal of the game on 37 minutes.

The second half started in much the same fashion as the first but on 52 minutes Giroud was sent off after headbutting Nedum Onuoha.

Rs boss Harry Redknapp sent on Leroy Fer and Junior Hoilett for Traore and Karl Henry but three minutes after their arrival on the pitch Arsenal grabbed a second through Tomas Rosicky who slid the ball past Green after superb approach play from Sanchez.

Rangers seemed to be heading for a 2-0 defeat but were handed a lifeline when referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot following a challenge by Mathieu Debuchy on Hoilett.

Charlie Austin made no mistake from 12-yards smashing the ball past Wojciech Szczesny.

With confidence lifted the visitors went in search of an equaliser and were very unlucky not be be awarded a second penalty kick when Kieran Gibbs took out Bobby Zamora from behind as the striker looked to tap home a cross from the left.

Atkinson turned away the appeals and the Rs will now prepare for their second London derby of the week against Crystal Palace on Sunday at Loftus Road.