ARSENAL are facing Norwich today in their crunch Boxing Day fixture at Carrow Road.
The Gunners headed into the game in fourth place in the Premier League, while Norwich can lift themselves off the foot of the table with a point.
But Arsenal have bossed the first half with goals from Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney.
Saka took just six minutes to open the scoring as the Gunners started in blistering fashion, while Tierney added the second a minute before half-time.
- Kick-off time: 3pm
- TV/ live stream: This game will not be televised in the UK
- Norwich XI: Gunn, Aarons, Kabak, Gibson, Williams, Gilmour, McLean, Placheta, Dowell, Sargent, Pukki
- Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Lacazette
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Norwich 0-2 Arsenal
46. Gabriel got away with on there.
Teemu Pukki looked to have legally pinched the ball off of the Arsenal defender but the referee thought it was a foul.
We’re live again from Norfolk – Norwich 0-2 Arsenal
No changes to tell you about in the second half but Dean Smith will be hoping that his side can make a change to the scoreline.
Rundown of the first half
Neither side came flying out of the blocks which always looked dangerous for the Canaries because you could sense that it would only be a matter of time before Arsenal start putting some constructive passes together.
Which is exactly what they did and a little over six minutes on the clock, Bukayo Saka was on hand to make it 1-0.
The hosts did try and put up a fight but not with their possession play, more with their tackles which got the crowd on their feet.
But Arsenal’s class prevailed when they flicked the switch and decided to keep the crowd quiet by grabbing a second in sensational style.
Do Norwich have enough quality to turn this around? We will find out shortly.
Opening 45 in current numbers
It was a easy first half for the Gunners who probably woudn’t have expected this kind of a game against a relegation fighting team.
They had more possession, more passes, more shots on goal and ultimately, hit the back of the net twice as much.
Half time
Arsenal are 2-0 up and are on their way to three points.
Credit: @Arsenal Half time – Norwich 0-2 Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s men are in cruise control as they go into the interval two goals to the good against a Norwich side who have showed why they are bottom of the league.
It has not been a good display by the Canaries at all.
Norwich 0-2 Arsenal
45+1. It really was an outstanding goal from the visitors who with a few passes from right to left, have left Norwich with a mountain to climb.
Dean Smith has a lot to think about at half-time.
Two minutes of additional time
Goal! – Norwich 2-0 Arsenal
What beautiful team play from the Gunners and what a fantastic finish from Kieran Tierney just as things were beginning to heat up.
Arsenal did well to weather this last five minute storm but that second goal has just calmed everybody down in the stadium a bit including the Canaries fans.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal – Placheta yellow!
40. This time it was Przemyslaw Placheta who has gone into the book following a hard but fair challenge from Ben White.
The tempo has definitely risen here at Carrow Road.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal – Xhaka yellow!
39. You could have bet your house on that happening.
Granit Xhaka was the only player shown a yellow card potentially for something he said in the aftermath.
The Swiss captain just has to be in the mix up
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal
37. The handbags are out people!
Martinelli was accidentally clattered by Kieran Dowell which the Gunners were not happy with at all.
Everyone is surrounding the referee who is trying to calm the situation down.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal – chance squandered!
35. The Gunners flicked the switch with Gabriel Martinelli and Kieran Tierney who combined well before the Scotsman fired in a teasing cross.
However, not a single blue shirt was able to connect with the ball which would have been certain goal.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal
33. How frustrating is that if you are a coach.
Norwich were pushing men forward in numbers and all McLean had to do was pick out a yellow short but his pass went straight out for Arsenal goal-kick.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal
30. That’s better Norwich!
Teemu Pukki did well to beat Ben White on this right-hand side before firing in a cross.
Unfortunately, the ball sailed into the safe hands of Aaron Ramsdale but that little bit of play has got the Canaries supporters on their feet.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal – Oh dear Saka
27. Gabriel Martinelli went charging down the left-wing before digging out a cross which got deflected into the box.
And in truth, it was set up nicely for Bukayo Saka to go for the overhead kick but the young Englishman got his technique all wrong resulting in his effort going way wide of the mark.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal – Chance Laca!
24. Bukayo Saka crossed in a beautiful ball which landed right on the money for Alexandre Lacazette to nod home.
But a combination of Max Aarons putting him off and the rain getting in the Frenchman’s eyes forced Lacazette to glance his header wide.
Should have been two.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal
20. Ouch that is going to hurt.
Kenny McLean came straight through the back of Martin Odegaard who was then left in a heap but the referee didn’t see it.
The Norwegian captain is back to his feet but he is not happy at all.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal
18. Panic over Canaries supporters.
Gibson is back to his feet but he’ll certainly be one to keep an eye on.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal
17. Skipper Ben Gibson is down and is looking in need of some treatment which is worrying signs for Dean Smith.
Norwich cannot afford for anymore injuries with the likes of Grant Hanley and Andrew Obamimdele already out.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal
15. It’s all the Gunners at the moment, Noriwch cannot get near them.
Dean Smith may need to alter with his tactics because the Canaries aren’t able to put any sort of possession play together.
Even when Teemu Pukki gets on the ball, he is completely isolated by Gabriel and Rob Holding.
Catch me if you can
Bukayo Saka makes it 1-0 the Gunners at Carrow Road.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal
11. Was that a cross or a shot Saka?
Arsenal were conjuring up another good attacking move until the ball fell to Bukayo Saka who instead of crossing or shooting, did neither.
Norwich 0-1 Arsenal
8. That goal really displays how much confidence is currently flowing through the Gunners’ veins at the moment.
Their first promising attack in the game and it led to the opening goal.
Mikel Arteta will be absolutely delighted with his team because the Spaniard is beginning to see how good his team can really be.
GOAL! – 1-0 to the Arsenal!
Well that didn’t take long.
Arsenal were struggling to put any sort of possession together before the ball fell to Bukayo Saka and he was able to finish his dinner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
