Norwich vs Arsenal : Goals galore expected at Carrow Road

Live from Carrow Road on ESPN at 2155 hrs (IST)

As it was pointed out by commentators on Arsenal TV last season, at a point of time in December, Arsenal had players from 11 different nations playing in their squad. This, though showcasing a unity in diversity cause on paper, brings all the more anxiety and restlessness to the fans and especially to Arsene Wenger during international breaks.

Injuries and Team Sheets

And here we are at the end of 2 weeks full of internationals where almost every player from the squad has travelled around the globe and has arrived back bruised and battered. Proud English internationals Theo Walcott and Chamberlain were put through public scrutiny on 2 contrasting performances by the Three Lions, where the former didn’t even last half an hour of the first, only to bust a lung. The ‘Ox’ though gaining a lot many accolades at Wembley was clearly tired out during his run at Warsaw late on Wednesday. Same was the case with Podolski, Mertersacker, Vermaelen, Cazorla and Koscienly; the later having brushed aside a serious knee knock to play against Spain.

Norwich were somewhat lucky in that respect, as Hughton didn’t have any worries regarding tiring of his players. Wenger might have contrasting views in the regard, as the Frenchman highly rates players representing their countries, but is often seen complaining on the lack of fire after their return from these matches.

Both the teams have contrasting stats as of now in the Premier League. With Arsenal having been beaten just once this season, Norwich are yet to win a single League game yet. Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea have been the Canaries’s last 3 opponents, and Chris Hughton’s men may just be expecting another pounding here.

Predicted Lineups:

Norwich: Ruddy, Martin, Barnett, Turner, Garrido, Johnson, Howson, Snodgrass, Surman, Hoolahan, Holt,

Arsenal : Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertersacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Gervinho, Giroud, Podolski

Tactical Matchups

Hughton has stuck to a very traditionally Hodgson approach this season. 2 banks of 4 has been a common sight at Carrow road, with an advanced playmaker and a hulking striker playing disconnectedly upfront. In the playmaker role, the manager has the option playing either the pacy Jackson or utilizing the guile and movement of Wes Hoolahan, the Irish Messi.

Hoolahan is more likely to get a start against the gunners, as the Irishman has a tendency to drift into left wing positions and might pull away the likes of Arteta and Jenkinson fron the centre. This will provide a better option for captain Grant Holt to attack. Holt, who is easily one of the most potent poachers and is first to every ball in the air, will be a handful for the Gunners defense and this is where Wenger’s team selection will affect the game.

Mert or Koscielny?

Per Mertersacker scored his first goal in ages against Sweden, but then let in 4 goals at the other end. The German has been impeccable for Arsenal at the back and has been notably good against towering strikers like Crouch and Dzeko. ‘Mert’ might just get the nod against Koscienly who has had an error prone start to the season, including the lame penalty against Cesc Fabregas. Thomas Vermaelen has been under-power in his performances and Belgian has been in a rush to get forward from the defense. This might just be the extra potency that Arsenal will have against Norwich as the Canaries do not pose an attacking threat that could catch out the ‘Verminator’.

Podolski, not Santos on Snodgrass

Norwich’s right flank has been the major contributor in attacks this season, and ex-Leeds man Robert Snodgrass has been the main force behind it. And another reason for Arsenal fans to fret will be the presence of Andre Santos at left back. Gibbs did not recover from the thigh strain against West Ham and it will be the adventurous Brazilian to lineup against Snodgrass.

Snodgrass has a tendency to cut back at cross in via his potent left foot and this is sure to cause Santos problems, as was seen against Juan Mata at Stanford Bridge last season. Wenger is sure to assign Podolski much more defensive responsibility on this flank and this will give Santos the freedom to gallop down his flank.

On the opposite side of the pitch, Santi Cazorla is again going to be Wenger’s key weapon, as Norwich’s 4-4-1-1 will leave Cazorla with place between the lines. And with Giroud slowly coming back to his form of last season, Cazorla will have all the more space with Giroud pulling away the defense. Bradley Johnson will be given the role to mark Cazorla, but even before the match the burly Johnson does not seem a perfect fit to catch the Spaniard.

Gervinho will continue on the right, with Chamberlain being on the bench after the game on Wednesday. Wenger will definitely want his Ivorian to put in a much better shift and play in early balls to utilize Giroud’s aerial prowess. Norwich will miss their latest acquisition Bassong dearly, as the ex-Spursman would definitely have been the key marker on Giroud.

Emergence of Aaron

Arsenal’s double pivot behind Cazorla looks a lot better now, and Aaron Ramsey’s start to the season has been the main reason. Even though Arteta is the one who holds fort and initiates attacks, Ramsey has been the more box to box type midfielder and has given a Rosisky like pace to the midfield. Even Cazorla has been needed to get involved in the defense due to the advanced positions that Ramsey takes up at times.

Hughton is sure to apply Holt on Arteta and hustling and rough tackling is something that the Spaniard needs to be ready for. Norwich will look to play on the break on such occasions with the trickery of Hoolahan a threat on Jenkinson.

Prediction: Norwich 1 – 3 Arsenal