Arteta gets Arsenal back on right track

Mikel Arteta's 84th-minute goal saw Arsenal beat bottom club Queens Park Rangers 1-0 in the Premier League yesterday to snap a two-game losing streak and crown Jack Wilshere's comeback with victory.

Beaten by Norwich City and Schalke in their last two outings, Arsene Wenger's side looked destined for a third disappointing result in a row until Arteta finally found a way past QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Victory lifted Arsenal to fourth place, although they trail leaders Chelsea by seven points and will fall 10 points off the pace if the Blues prevail against Manchester United today.

Arsenal welcomed back Wilshere - who missed the whole of last season through injury - and Bacary Sagna at the Emirates and despite controlling the game, they squandered a number of chances in the first half.

Julio Cesar saved twice from Olivier Giroud, while Aaron Ramsey found the top of the crossbar with a header and Wilshere stung the Brazilian goalkeeper's palms from the edge of the box.

The QPR shot-stopper got down quickly to repel a Per Mertesacker header early in the second half, before Junior Hoilett had a lob correctly ruled out for offside at the other end.