After a two week break for the Canaries, they travel to The Emirates in a bid to kick-start their four game push for survival. Alex Neil’s side will begin the game off the back of a disappointing result against Sunderland a fortnight ago and without doubt the young Scotsman will be hoping for a positive reaction against the gunners.
Arsenal fans will be praying for a much better performance from their side against Norwich, following their 0-0 draw to Sunderland last weekend – which consequently lifted Sunderland out of the bottom three, placing Norwich in 18th position. The return of Jack Wilshere will no doubt be a talking point amongst supporters before Saturday’s game after he made his first appearance since the 2015 FA Cup final. With Arsenal only lying five points ahead of the in-form Manchester united (having played a game more), they’ll be keen to make a statement to the Red Devils that the fourth spot is theirs.
The Canaries have the 18th worst away form in the league picking up a mere 11 points on the road with a -20 goal difference, only bettering Newcastle’s 8 points and Villa’s 6. The Yellows have also only picked up one win in their last ten meetings with the Gunners. Without sounding too bleak, things aren’t looking good for Norwich going into Saturday’s game. However, with the prospect of playing Championship football again next season it may light a fuse in the Norwich players to go out and get something out of this game; which inevitably would be a huge result for the underdogs and could potentially lift the yellows out of the bottom three.
With Russell Martin returning to action this weekend, he could be in line to straighten out the back four meaning Sebastien Bassong would make way after a below par performance against Sunderland. Being the most experienced centre back available to Alex Neil with Klose’s injury, could he be set to make his 221st appearance for the club at the weekend?
Arsene Wenger has boasted about his ‘fully fit’ squad this week with Santi Cazorla returning to action but is unlikely to risk Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this weekend against Norwich. The Canaries most notable absence being Timm Klose, who will be sorely missed against the likes of Giroud at the Emirates.
