Two loses and Two wins since the premier league restart is hardly the sort of form Arsenal fans had in mind. With Chelsea pulling away in an almost unassailable position 11 points clear, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal need a convincing win against a Norwich side that has run out of steam.
There can be no more screw ups or meltdowns as the gunners try to push for a Champions league qualification slot.
Norwich have one leg in the championship after becoming rooted to the bottom of the premier league, a massive 65 points behind a rampant Liverpool.
They were promoted because of a style of football that would potentially see them hold a mid table position in their first season but the reality has been completely different.
Like a host of other newly promoted teams over the years, wins have been hard to come by and their inability to score more goals than they concede has proved to be their biggest problem.
Arsenal can’t boast a solid defence but they are certainly in better shape than their opponents. The indicators are that Arsenal should be able to brush the canaries aside with some ease.
Out of the last 10 fixtures between the sides Arsenal have only lost one, having won six and drawn three.
Arsenal have their problems with Luiz possibly out, Leno injured along with Mari but Cedric Soares is fully fit and could fill in for Hector Bellerin.
Arsenal Predicted Line up vs Norwich and score :
Martinez has been excellent in Leno’s absence and continues to impress in goal.
In front of him Arteta might use a back three again which releases his wing backs and includes Mustafi, Holding and Luiz if fit, Sokratis if not.
The middle should once again see Xhaka in a pivotal role with Ceballos advancing at every opportunity.
I expect Tierney to put in another appearance on the left and Maitland Niles just managing to hold off Soares.
Saka and Pepe are almost unstoppable at the moment and are Arsenal’s best chance of providing chances for Aubameyang.
The shape of the side I’ve predicted is to turn the screw on Norwich and after a tight 20 minutes or so, I think Arsenal have enough to start a mini collapse.
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That aside, Arsenal need to break Norwich as early as possible and need to be heading in at half time 2-0 to the good which would be a comfortable platform from which to build.
That’s obviously the preferred script but Norwich could well have a sting in the tail with absolutely nothing to lose. Arsenal must take their chances, stretch Norwich and remain focused for 96 minutes.
4-0 is an optimistic score line but the gunners have the quality to overwhelm these flightless canaries.
