10-man Arsenal edge past QPR after Olivier Giroud red card

Alexis Sanchez scored to make up for a penalty miss as Arsenal beat QPR 2-1 at the Emirates, with Olivier Giroud sent off.

QPR seemed to give up all hope of getting anything from the match with an approach devoid of any ambition. They invited Arsenal onto them from the opening minutes, and so Arsenal dominated.

Within 10 minutes, Arsenal had a penalty after a needless foul on Sanchez from Armand Traore, but Rob Green was equal to the challenge and saved.

It took a neat passing move involving Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Kieran Gibbs to set up Sanchez for an almost empty goal to head into, and Arsenal were ahead.

In the second half, Giroud had his Clapham Common moment, aiming a headbutt at Nedum Onuoha when the defender pushed him into Green.

QPR's optimism was short lived as Sanchez was allowed to power forward from midfield to shift the ball right to Tomas Rosicky, who converted for Arsenal's second.

The visitors pulled one back with a Charlie Austin penalty to ensure a nervy Arsenal finale, but Arsene Wenger's side managed to cling on to victory under increasing pressure.

8' - PENALTY! A goalmouth scramble ends with the ball drifting out of the QPR box. Sanchez gets to it first, and Traore cleans him out with a ludicrous, unnecessary challenge.

9' - PENALTY SAVED - Green guesses left, Sanchez rolls a poor shot towards him, and it's saved!

28' - GREEN SAVE - Giroud curls a shot over the wall, but Green has time to get across to palm it away.

37' - GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 QPR. Sanchez scores - Welbeck toes a ball left for Cazorla, who finds Gibbs on the left of the box, who crosses for Sanchez, and he dives to head into an almost empty net.

39' - CAULKER HEADER - Caulker heads just wide after cross from Eduardo Vargas.

52' - GIROUD SENT OFF - Giroud is off. He headbutts Onuoha after the defender pushed him into Rob Green. A ludicrous moment from the French chap with the loaf of bread for a haircut.

65' - GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 QPR. Rosicky scores - Sanchez drives from midfield, into the box, with four QPR players just gawping at him. He finds Rosicky on the right, and he drills a low shot past Green.

78' - PENALTY! Hoilett is tripped by Debuchy as he dances around him, and there's some true Arsenal comedy.

79' - GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 QPR. Austin scores - Austin smashes the penalty down the middle, and Szczesny dives out of the way.

That was Alexis Sanchez's first European league penalty miss.

Arsenal (12) are second in the Premier League all time records for Boxing Day wins, after Manchester United.

Arsenal have won their last eight Boxing Day home matches.

QPR have lost their last six London derbies.

Is Harry Redknapp now out of his depth in football? Ten years ago there was enough to be achieved with his motivational talents and ability to bring in player after player after player, but these days it takes more tactical nous to succeed. Redknapp is probably too set in his ways to find another way to approach the game, and that holds QPR back.

Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal): He might have missed a penalty, but he is the only player of undeniable quality in Arsenal's current side. In contrast to Mesut Ozil, who has just as much ability, he is prepared to work hard to make opportunities for himself and those around him. It is essential he stays fit for Arsenal's attempted recovery in 2015.

Arsenal: Szczesny 6, Debuchy 6, Mertesacker 6, Monreal 6, Gibbs 6, Flamini 6, Cazorla 6, Rosicky 7, Alexis 7, Giroud 4, Welbeck 6. Subs: Chambers 6, Coquelin 6.

QPR: Green 6, Onuoha 6, Ferdinand 5, Caulker 5, Isla 6, Traore 5, Mutch 5, Henry 5, Kranjcar 6, Austin 6, Vargas 6. Subs: Fer 6, Hoilett 5, Zamora 6.