Norwich City 0-5 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points as Bukayo Saka steals the show | Premier League 2021-22

Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring a goal.
Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring a goal.

Arsenal beat Norwich City 5-0 on Sunday to strengthen their grip within the top four of the Premier League.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for Arsenal in the sixth minute as he slipped one past Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn. Kieran Tierney doubled Arsenal's advantage on the cusp of half-time.

Saka then scored a brilliant goal from the edge of the box to cap off his brace. Alexandre Lacazette scored Arsenal's fourth of the night from the penalty spot after drawing a foul from Ozan Kabak. Emile Smith Rowe put the game to bed as he scored Arsenal's fifth goal of the night in stoppage time.

On that note, here's a look at the five talking points from the game:


#5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang misses yet another game

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was again left out of the squad by Mikel Arteta. It was the fifth game in a row that he missed after being called out for disciplinary reasons.

In his absence Alexandre Lacazette has taken the armband and has been firing on all cylinders. The Frenchman has scored two goals and assisted three goals in the month of December so far.

Aubameyang's future at Arsenal looks quite uncertain. His continued absence has alerted Juventus and Barcelona, who are interested in signing the 32-year-old.


#4. Martin Odegaard shows his class for Arsenal yet again

Martin Odegaard in action against Norwich City.
Martin Odegaard in action against Norwich City.

Arsenal went on a frenzy to sign Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid in the summer. After a successful loan tenure last season, the Gunners were convinced that he was the right man to lead the midfield. Arsenal wanted a player who could dominate games the way Mesut Özil did and were convinced that the Norwegian could replicate the German's success.

Odegaard's recent performances show that the Gunners were right all along. He ran riot against Norwich City. The former Real Madrid star set up two goals for Arsenal. Moreover, he made three key passes, won three duels and made four recoveries throughout the game.

#3. Relegation worries loom over for Norwich City

Max Aarons tussles it out with Gabriel Martinelli.
Max Aarons tussles it out with Gabriel Martinelli.

Norwich City are 20th in the points table with 10 points after having played 18 games. Although the chances of winning against Arsenal were slim, the five-goal hammering made it worse. Today's loss made it four defeats in a row for the Canaries.

Dean Smith will have a lot to think about. The next five games will be very crucial for Norwich City. It will be vital for them to score points against Crystal Palace, Watford and Everton if they are to have a chance of avoiding relegation.


#2. Champions League spot in sight for Arsenal

Arsenal players celebrate after scoring against Norwich City.
Arsenal players celebrate after scoring against Norwich City.

With an emphatic win over Norwich City, Arsenal are provisionally fourth in the Premier League points table having amassed 35 points. Following them is Tottenham Hotspur with 29 points but they have three games in hand.

Arsenal are just six points behind third-placed Chelsea. They have won their last four Premier League games scoring 14 goals and conceding just the one. If Mikel Arteta's men continue their dominant run, they can very well finish in the top four ahead of the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United.


#1. Bukayo Saka shines for Arsenal

Bukayo Saka rejoices after scoring a goal.
Bukayo Saka rejoices after scoring a goal.

Bukayo Saka had a night to remember. The 20-year-old scored a brace to secure all three points for Arsenal. His second goal of the night was something special. Until now the youngster was known for his pacy runs and great vision but lacked the final product. But his brace today proves that he's working on that attribute as well.

Saka combined well with Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Lacazette higher up the pitch. If they can continue their rampant form, this attack could become one of the most lethal attacks in the Premier League.

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Edited by Aditya Singh
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