Match Preview for Arsenal v Norwich
Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend, as we remain top of the table for another consecutive week, meaning the last time we had been at the top of the league for this long we actually went on to win the trophy back in 2003/04, however I don’t see a repeat of that extent happening again this time around.
After the second international break, which has already taken away two weeks of the season, finally ends we can focus on the Premier League again and this weekend we take on the Canaries, Norwich City, at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Arsenal will be looking for all three points as they are currently level with Liverpool in the league, whilst realistically this should be a game we easily get three points from anyway, the only problem is, Norwich have proved to be a tricky team for Arsenal to face in the past.
Norwich have always managed to take Arsenal down to the wire in most of the games we have played against them since their promotion to the EPL a few seasons back. A few wins for the Gunners have heavily been overshadowed by the draws and loss we have encountered at the hands of Norwich and much like Swansea, they will prove to be difficult opponents this weekend.
Arsenal have a few injury concerns such as Bacary Sagna and Mesut Ozil, who will both have fitness tests on the day of the game, whilst Theo Walcott remains side-lined. Koscielny and Cazorla are okay to play and if Ozil misses out we could see a return of Santi in the first team. Aaron Ramsey should also be okay to play, whilst Wilshere didn’t get too much game time with England so he too should have enough fitness to start.
I expect a line up as follows:
Szczesny
Jenkinson Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs
Flamini Arteta
Ramsey
Gnabry Giroud Cazorla
Vermaelen and Monreal will no doubt be pushing for game time with rumours both could be looking to leave if their respective current situations do not change, whilst I think a return for Gnabry could be possible with Ozil and Wilshere likely to be on the bench.
Arsenal will have to deal with some serious threats from the new look Norwich side, especially in Van Wolfswinkel who has already proved he is capable of pulling something special out of the bag. It’s vital that we once again dominate in midfield and control the game our way; otherwise we could easily see a repeat of what happened two weeks ago at West Brom.
Ultimately I’m expect Arsenal to win and pick up all three points, as well as add a couple more goals on the goal difference chart and my prediction is Arsenal 3-0 Norwich.
