Manager Arsene Wenger named an unchanged squad from last week’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland, despite the fact Olivier Giroud has failed to score in his last 14 league games. Norwich, who were in 19th place, were desperate to get a result and climb out of the relegation zone.
First Half:
The first half was typical of Arsenal’s season as they dominated possession but failed to capitalise on their chances. With Arsenal looking to cement their spot in fourth place, Norwich surprisingly dominated the first 15 minutes of the match and looked much more likely to score than the Gunners.
A dangerous cross into the area from Ollson early on saw an unmarked Redmond receive the ball on the right side of the area, but his hard shot was hit directly at Cech who caught it safely. Another ball was sent in shortly after by Norwich which saw Jerome hit the ball first time, but his chance flew over the crossbar. Despite failing to capitalise on their chances, Norwich had two chances in the first six minutes and continued to look as if they could get a result when Bassong got his head onto a cross which went wide.
But Norwich’s period of dominance didn’t last long and Arsenal soon began their usual possession game. Both Sanchez and Iwobi looked lively as they weaved in and out of the Norwich box, but neither were able to get a shot on target.
All eyes moved from the game in the 12th minute when Arsenal fans began a protest against manager Arsene Wenger. Protesting the fact the club has now gone 12 years without a title, thousands of fans held up signs which read ‘Time for change’, however an equal amount of supporters were also heard chanting “There’s only one Arsene Wenger”.
Once the drama of the protest was over, the match became cagey with neither team able to create many chances. Arsenal played their usual passing game around the edge of the area but looked reluctant to shoot, while Norwich were happy to hit on the counter-attack. Despite having all the possession, Arsenal managed just one pass inside the Norwich box in the first half an hour.
Norwich had another near chance at the end of the half when Redmond received the ball inside the area, but his shot was wasted as it went straight to Cech who deflected it away. Norwich continued to show their willingness to get a result when Redmond burst past the Arsenal defence and hit a quickfire shot which beat Cech but also went wide.
Mertesacker had a chance to put Arsenal ahead with a header shortly after, but the half ended with Arsenal managing zero shots on target in the first half, while Norwich had three.
Second Half:
While Arsenal continued to dominate possession, it began to look more and more likely that the game would remain scoreless as they failed to get past the Norwich defence. While Norwich were no longer able to keep the ball like they did at the start of the game, they looked more hungry than the Gunners and continued to foil every attempt they had at goal.
Norwich again showed their danger when a cross into the box from Redmond nearly reached Jerome, but Arsenal soon regained possession with Ozil finding Giroud who had another poor game and was unable to collect the ball.
Welbeck was then subbed on for Iwobi in the 55th minute, with Arsenal fans booing the fact he didn’t replace Giroud. The fans were rewarded shortly after, however, as Bellerin whipped a ball into the box which found Giroud, who headed the ball down to Welbeck, who proceeded to hit the ball on a half volley hard and low into the bottom left corner.
Scoring with what was their first shot on target for the match, Arsenal began playing more freely after opening the scoring and Norwich were unable to get back into the game.
A ridiculous pass from Ozil in the 70th minute found Sanchez on the edge of the area, but the Chilean was wasteful and hit a shot directly at the keeper. Norwich attempted to get back into the game late in the match by bringing on winger Matt Jarvis but his crosses into the area were continuously blocked by Arsenal, who were happy to shut up shop.
While Arsenal managed to win the game, they looked far from their best and Norwich can consider themselves unlucky that they weren’t able to take anything away from the match.
