Premier League preview: Arsenal v Queens Park Rangers

Arsenal host Queens Park Rangers in the English Premier League on Saturday looking to recover from their Champions League loss to Schalke.

The 2-0 defeat to Bundesliga side Schalke on Wednesday was the first time Arsenal have been beaten at the Emirates Stadium in European competition since their 2008/09 semi-final loss to Manchester United.

It was also the first time Arsenal have lost at home in Europe to a foreign team since 2003, a run stretching back before their move from Highbury to the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger’s squad confront bottom-of-the-table QPR, who are yet to record a win in the Premier League this season – but who will take confidence from their close 1-1 draw to a ten-man Everton side at Loftus Road last Monday.

An own-goal from Julio Cesar levelled the scores in the 33rd minute and dashed the home sides’ hopes after QPR’s Junior Hoilett had opened the scoring two minutes into the game.

Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere will be in contention to make his first Premier League appearance in 18 months after running out the 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Everton at Under-21 level, effectively signalling his return to fitness from a long-term ankle issue.

Left-back Kieran Gibbs should also be available for the Gunners after recovering from a thigh problem.

Arsenal lost their last Premier League match 1-0 against Norwich City on October 21 after having previously recorded two wins in succession.

Arsenal beat West Ham United 3-1 away from home in the league on October 6 and won their Champions League match against Olympiacos 3-1 three days earlier.

Wenger’s team sit ninth in the Premier League standings on 12 points and are ten behind leaders Chelsea.

An improved output from Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud would benefit the Gunners’ attempts to keep pace with the front-runners, but Arsene Wenger wants the striker, who joined from Montpellier in the off-season, to be given time to adapt to conditions in Premier League.

Queens Park Rangers should welcome the return to fitness of full-back Fabio, on loan from Manchester United, to shore up their defence.

The results of QPR squad are a clear indication they have taken time to adjust after introducing 12 new players at the start of the season, with a hosts of departures from last season’s roster.

But they have showed they can compete with the Premier League’s best sides on their day by recording a 0-0 draw against Chelsea on September 15 at Loftus Road.

And QPR can take heart from the fact they surprisingly beat Arsenal 2-1 the last time these two teams met in March last year.