Arsenal outgunned in wild west London shoot-out

It was hard to decide which was the most surprising aspect of Arsenal’s capitulation at QPR — the fact that Arsene Wenger’s men failed to show up, or the way Mark Hughes’ mixed bunch of desperados drove the shot-shy gunslingers out of town.

Because this showdown in west London was like something out of a Hollywood western — part High Noon, part Magnificent Seven, with a touch of Rio Bravo thrown in.

The stakes were high, no doubt. An eighth successive victory for the all-conquering Gunners would have taken then six points clear of Tottenham in the race for third place and pretty well guaranteed Champions League football. Another defeat for Rangers would have left them looking down the barrel at an immediate return to the championship, especially with other teams around them in the relegation zone winning.