Manager Arsene Wenger remains convinced attack will prove the best form of defence as Arsenal look to stay in the top four of the Barclays Premier League . The Gunners recorded a seventh win in the last eight league matches when beating relegation-battlers QPR 2-1 at Loftus Road on Wednesday night with goals from Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez . Arsenal sit a point ahead of Manchester United , their FA Cup quarter-final opponents , and four behind second-place Manchester City . Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sasy he wanted his side to continue to attack during 2-1 win against QPR . Wenger watches on from the sidelines as the Gunners consolidated their place in the top four . Giroud 's second-half opener came following a swift counter-attack after Arsenal had soaked up plenty of pressure . Wenger , though , expects to see his team always stay on the front foot . ' I wanted the team to continue to attack , because we are not a team that can sit off and wait for the teams who commit and get them only on the break . We need to master possession and we did that well , ' Wenger told Arsenal Player . Giroud has rediscovered his scoring touch in the last two matches following a series of misses in the 3-1 Champions League defeat by Monaco . Olivier Giroud gave Arsenal the lead at Loftus Road on Wednesday as he stabbed past Rob Green . Giroud lifts Arsenal team-mate Tomas Rosicky up in the air in celebration of his goal . Alexis Sanchez cut in from the left hand side to double the Gunners lead minutes after Giroud 's opener . Wenger hailed the mental strength of the France forward , who now has 10 Premier League goals from a campaign which was hampered by four months sidelined with a broken leg . Full-back Kieran Gibbs believes Giroud does not get the credit his work-rate for the team deserves . 'Olivier has certainly responded in the way we wanted . He is that kind of character who always wants to bounce back and do well for the team . He puts a lot of pressure on himself . Credit to him , because he is having a fantastic season , ' Gibbs said , quoted by the London Evening Standard . Sanchez remains Arsenal 's most potent attacking threat , taking his tally to 19 following a seven-match barren spell . Sanchez celebrates doubling Arsenal 's lead mid way through the second half at Loftus Road . Charlie Austin pulled a goal back for the home side with a ferocious drive from the edge of the box . 'Every player goes through a difficult patch but he is not the type to let it get to him . He has shown great determination in every game , ' said Gibbs . 'We need that from him and that is why he is world class . ' Gibbs believes Arsenal have overcome the setback of their defeat by Monaco , which leaves hopes of qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League all but over ahead of the second leg in Monte Carlo later this month . He said : 'We wanted to respond for the fans and the people at the club . We know we are a good team and we want to show that . ' Arsenal defender Gabriel suffered a hamstring injury at QPR and is expected to be out for a couple of weeks . New defender Gabriel receives treatment from the Arsenal medical staff after injuring his hamstring . The Brazilian defender was unable to continue and was replace in the first half . Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has been laid low by illness but may be in contention to return for the FA Cup holders at United on Monday March 9 . QPR , meanwhile , are in the relegation zone , now three points behind Aston Villa , who beat West Brom on Tuesday night . Chris Ramsey 's side host Tottenham in the Premier League this weekend , then tackle Crystal Palace and Everton . Striker Bobby Zamora believes if the work-rate continues , then positive results will follow . 'Performances have been good . We have been so close in so many games , but close is not enough really , ' he said . 'Unfortunately we are not getting the points we deserve . We could do with not playing well and getting three points . '
Arsenal beat QPR 2-1 in Gunners at Loftus Road on Wednesday . Olivier Giroud and ALexis Sanchez found the net in the second half . Charlie Austin pulled a goal for the hosts but the the Premier League hung on . Giroud finished off a swift counter-attack after soaking up pressure . Arsene Wenger has urged his side to attack and not always sit back . CLICK HERE for all the latest Arsenal news .