Arteta's winner - four minutes after QPR defender Stephane M'Bia was sent off in the 80th minute - lifted some of the gloom at the Emirates Stadium after successive losses in the league and Champions League.
Olivier Giroud's initial header from Andrei Arshavin's cross was saved by Julio Cesar but Arteta pounced to head against the bar and the rebound was sent into the net to break the deadlock.
The victory hauled the Gunners from ninth to fourth.
And Jack Wilshere also provided a boost by playing 67 minutes as he returned after 17 months without competitive action.
Arteta gives Arsenal 1-0 win over QPR in EPL
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