Norwich City 2-2 Arsenal: Top 3 players from the encounter | Premier League 2019/20

After the removal of former head coach Unai Emery, Arsenal took a trip to Carrow Road for their first assignment under caretaker Freddie Ljungberg.

It was a bright start for the Gunners, who looked sharp – particularly going forward – in the first 20 minutes. However, old defensive frailties crept back into their game, as Teemo Pukki continued his stellar season by scoring the opener.

Arsenal though equalised through a dramatic penalty kick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. As they have done often this season, the Gunners failed to shut up shop heading into the break and conceded at the stroke of half time.

A 57th-minute equaliser sourced from an Arsenal corner – and scored by Aubameyang – meant the points were shared in Norwich. Let's take a look at the top three players from the encounter:

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#1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang is the joint second-highest goal-scorer in the league, with ten strikes to his name

The Arsenal captain continues to keep his side afloat with individual brilliance. Despite playing on the right-wing for three-quarters of the game, the Gabon forward found the net twice, canceling Norwich's one-goal lead on both occasions.

The penalty, which marked his ninth league goal this season, involved another big VAR decision. After Christoph Zimmermann handled the ball, a spot-kick was awarded for the visitors. Aubameyang stepped up, but was denied by Tim Krul – the Norwich 'keeper – on his first attempt.

While Norwich players and fans celebrated, VAR confirmed that Max Aarons had encroached the area before the ball left Aubameyang's foot. The Arsenal striker was then given a second chance, which he took gladly. The captain put his hand up and delivered under intense pressure.

He then followed it up with another equaliser. After Shkodran Mustafi's attempt was blocked by a defender, the ball fell to Aubameyang, who smashed it into the goal.

#2 Todd Cantwell

Cantwell showed his class once again

Norwich City's big-match player stepped up once again today, delivering the goods when it mattered the most. Punishing Arsenal on the counter-attack, Todd Cantwell restored his side's lead with a superb strike at the cusp of half time.

The midfielder drifted in from the left, picking up Onel Hernández's ball and driving it into the far corner of the net.

The 21-year-old was a handful for Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi in the middle of the park. He won the midfield battle more often than not and was at the heart of Norwich's attack on multiple occasions.

Cantwell was highly-effective in the second half as well – a moment that stands out is his excellent through ball to Pukki in the 63rd minute, which, if not for Bernd Leno, would have set up Norwich's match-winning goal.

He completed 78% of his passes on the day, and was a constant threat until he was taken off in the 83rd minute.

#3 Bernd Leno

The Arsenal goalkeeper bailed out his defence with a superb performance between the sticks

Arguably Arsenal's most consistent player at the moment, Bernd Leno produced a masterclass at Carrow Road.

The goalkeeper made six saves on the day, preventing a certain defeat for his side. He produced a spectacular effort to keep out Kenny McLean, who was through on goal in the 60th minute, surging forward, flying towards the ball and tipping it onto the post.

He made another crucial save in the 63rd minute, keeping out Pukki, who had made an incredible turn to fend off Mustafi and create space for himself.

The German goalkeeper capped it off with another spectacular save late on, using both hands to keep out Max Aarons' shot, which took a nasty deflection off Lucas Torreira.

Leno remains at the top of the leaderboard for saves made in the season with 59 stops in 14 games – a stat that not only speaks volumes about his quality, but also the lack thereof in Arsenal's defence.

A word for this guy today...👍 @Bernd_Leno #NORARS pic.twitter.com/U5gAXJxYev

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 1, 2019

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