Arsenal vs. Norwich: Premier League preview
by David Nugent
In-form Arsenal host strugglers Norwich at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday looking to continue their good run of form. The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League table on goals scored after drawing 1-1 with West Brom in their last top-flight outing.
The Gunners opponents Norwich have made a poor start to their Premier League campaign and are currently third from bottom in the top-flight table. The Canaries suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea prior to the international break and will be looking to gain a shock victory in north London against the Gunners.
However, that could be difficult as the men from Norfolk have only claimed two victories in the top-flight this season and the home side have not suffered defeat since the opening day defeat against Aston Villa. The visitors have also struggled to find the net this season, scoring just five goals in the Premier League so far.
The home sides form is very impressive, the Gunners having won five out of their seven top-flight games so far this season and claiming four victories in the last five games. However, the Gunners have struggled to keep clean sheets, keeping just one clean sheet in the top-flight so far this season.
Arsenal’s injury problems have cleared up slightly over the international break. Both Santi Cazorla and Bacary Sagna have returned to training and will be in the Gunners squad to face the Canaries. However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is unsure on whether the pair will start the game or not.
The Gunners did receive a midweek scare though with record signing Mesut Ozil limping off late in Germany’s World Cup qualifying victory Sweden. However, the injury does not seem a serious one and he should be fit to feature in this clash.
Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey suffered what looked like a reoccurrence of a thigh injury during Wales 1-1 draw with Belgium, but the 22-year-old is also expected to be fit to feature against the Canaries.
England winger Theo Walcott still remains sidelined and could be out for another two weeks with an abdominal injury. Abou Diaby, Lukas Podolski, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Yaya Sanogo remain on the long-term injury list.
The visitors have some injury problems of their own. Winger Anthony Pilkington faces a late fitness test on a hamstring injury, while Elliott Bennett will miss the game due to a knee injury. Apart from that Chris Hughton has a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Betting News
The visitors have not won at Arsenal since 1992 and it looks very unlikely that Saturday will be when that statistic changes. The home side are in fine form and the visitors are struggling to find their feet this season.
Arsenal’s odds of 2/7 to claim victory in this one really does reflect just how big favourites the Gunners are to claim victory. The draw is currently 5/1, while the visitor’s odds of 11/1 really do outline their role as major underdogs in this contest.
The Gunners opponents Norwich have made a poor start to their Premier League campaign and are currently third from bottom in the top-flight table. The Canaries suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea prior to the international break and will be looking to gain a shock victory in north London against the Gunners.
However, that could be difficult as the men from Norfolk have only claimed two victories in the top-flight this season and the home side have not suffered defeat since the opening day defeat against Aston Villa. The visitors have also struggled to find the net this season, scoring just five goals in the Premier League so far.
The home sides form is very impressive, the Gunners having won five out of their seven top-flight games so far this season and claiming four victories in the last five games. However, the Gunners have struggled to keep clean sheets, keeping just one clean sheet in the top-flight so far this season.
Arsenal’s injury problems have cleared up slightly over the international break. Both Santi Cazorla and Bacary Sagna have returned to training and will be in the Gunners squad to face the Canaries. However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is unsure on whether the pair will start the game or not.
The Gunners did receive a midweek scare though with record signing Mesut Ozil limping off late in Germany’s World Cup qualifying victory Sweden. However, the injury does not seem a serious one and he should be fit to feature in this clash.
Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey suffered what looked like a reoccurrence of a thigh injury during Wales 1-1 draw with Belgium, but the 22-year-old is also expected to be fit to feature against the Canaries.
England winger Theo Walcott still remains sidelined and could be out for another two weeks with an abdominal injury. Abou Diaby, Lukas Podolski, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Yaya Sanogo remain on the long-term injury list.
The visitors have some injury problems of their own. Winger Anthony Pilkington faces a late fitness test on a hamstring injury, while Elliott Bennett will miss the game due to a knee injury. Apart from that Chris Hughton has a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Betting News
The visitors have not won at Arsenal since 1992 and it looks very unlikely that Saturday will be when that statistic changes. The home side are in fine form and the visitors are struggling to find their feet this season.
Arsenal’s odds of 2/7 to claim victory in this one really does reflect just how big favourites the Gunners are to claim victory. The draw is currently 5/1, while the visitor’s odds of 11/1 really do outline their role as major underdogs in this contest.
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