Following a 2-0 result at home against Everton, Arsene Wenger spoke to the media in his press conference with team news, certain players and the preview in regards to what to expect in their match against QPR.

In team news, midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be available having recovered from a hamstring injury. The Wales international has been missing since February 10 after a third hamstring issue of the season but has returned to training ahead of schedule and could feature at Loftus Road. Jack Wilshere will miss out due to an ankle injury, as well as Mathieu Flamini (hamstring), Abou Diaby (calf) and Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder). Francis Coquelin could play despite fracturing his nose in Sunday's win over Everton.

When asked about the match, the Frenchman said that is would be a stern test for his players. ''There is a difference between QPR’s home results and their away results,” the manager said. “It’s a bit like a Highbury atmosphere with a very tight ground, fans close, a committed team, but it’s an opportunity for us to continue our good away record in the Premier League and we want to take it. QPR are a team that fights not to go down. They have 22 points and there are four teams who are down there, with Leicester [on 18 points], so there are four teams at the moment around there. One of them will get out, maybe two, so you expect the commitment and the fight that you get from teams who fight not to go down.''

Gabriel received plenty of praise for his performance against Everton and Wenger believes he is ready to become a first-team regular at Arsenal and has praised Per Mertesacker for his contribution to the side despite losing his first team place over the weekend: ''He has shown that he’s a defender who’s committed, focused and can integrate well into our defensive system. For a first game it was a very positive one.”

Finally, he has stated that the race to finish in the top four will be tight with all the clubs battling it out towards the very end of the season. 

“If you ask a team who is four points behind us, they will say it’s realistic to try to catch us. Manchester City are four points in front of us, so mathematically of course it is possible. United are only one point [behind] and Liverpool three points. There’s a long way to go but once you’re in March the acceleration is there for the final sprint and what you basically have to do is not look too much at other teams, just focus on what you want to do and how you can do it.''

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About the author
Roberto Rojas
Writing about the beautiful game. Cohost of the @LowLimitFutbol Podcast.