Hughes plots Arsenal downfall

Queens Park Rangers’ manager Mark Hughes believes his side can end Arsenal’s six-match winning streak on Saturday.

QPR will host their London rivals at Loftus Road and Hughes believes his team can challenge Arsenal, especially after their 3-2 win at home over Liverpool last weekend.

“We fancy our chances at Loftus Road,” Hughes said.

“We were exceptional last time out and no-one has come to Loftus Road and really turned us over, so we don’t expect that to happen this weekend.”

But Hughes maintains that it will be a tough match.

QPR are currently in the Premier League’s relegation zone, while Arsenal are third on the table.

“At the moment, and unfortunately from our point of view, Arsenal are playing exceptionally well,” the Welshman said.

“We would have preferred to have gone up against them when they were struggling.

“So it’s going to be a big test for us.”

Arsenal have not lost since a 2-0 defeat to Sunderland in the FA Cup fifth round on February 19.

Hughes believes the Gunners’ wide play has been crucial to their current winning streak and subsequent push up the ladder.

“Maybe when they were struggling earlier in the season, the threat from wide areas wasn’t as forthcoming as it possibly is at the moment,” Hughes said.

“The return of Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs have helped and given them a real option out wide which all the good Arsenal sides have always had in the past.”