Opta Big Match Stats: No thrashing for road-weary QPR

Robert Green has excelled at the Emirates Stadium in the past

Opta's insights suggest under 2.5 goals to be a tasty punting option for Arsenal and QPR's Boxing Day skirmish...

Arsenal v QPR
Saturday, 17:30
Live on BT Sport 1

Match Odds: Arsenal 1.292/7, QPR 14.5n/a, The Draw 6.25/1

QPR have failed to score in five of their six Premier League visits to Arsenal

The Hoops are yet to claim an away point since being promoted to the Premier League in May, and another unsuccessful attempt at the Emirates will equal Bolton's record-settingly awful start of nine consecutive reverses on the road in 1995/96. Their rubbish striking record when leaving Loftus Road renders constant losing almost inevitable. They have netted three times across eight encounters, resulting in five defeats to nil. Five of Arsenal's last six Premier League victories arrived accompanied by a clean sheet, as have each of their four against QPR this century.

Recommended Bet: Back Arsenal to keep a clean sheet @ 2.0811/10

Arsenal have scored exactly one goal in eight of their last nine Premier League games against QPR

The ever-injury-perturbed Gunners suddenly have Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez all available at once, but prolificacy hasn't followed. They have notched just once in two of their previous three Premier League home fixtures. Combining the above stat with the aforementioned case for QPR being shut out highlights 1-0 Arsenal as an enticing option at 10.5n/a, though this column will take the hefty 2.789/5 on under 2.5 goals to cover off 0-0 and 2-0 too. The north Londoners have struck more than once in only two of their nine domestic home games this season.

Recommended Bet: Back under 2.5 goals @ 2.789/5

Santi Cazorla has had a hand in five goals in his last five Premier League appearances

There was a hint of "why do we still have this idiot when we could have signed Cesc Fabregas back?" sentiment detectable from Arsenal fans after Cazorla's rather muted opening to this campaign but the 30-year-old has returned to form recently with three goals and two assists in five outings. The Spaniard's greatest moments this winter have primarily occurred at the Emirates, including a brace against Newcastle and two assists against Borussia Dortmund.

Recommended Bet: Back Cazorla to score @ 3.711/4