Arsenal battled past a parked Norwich to gain three crucial points

Jack Wilshere celebrates scoring his goal with Olivier Giroud during the match at Emirates Stadium

International breaks are dreadful. England’s games lack substance and Indian sports channels never cover any other matches. A fortnight without meaningful football creates an emptiness which is always accompanied by a feeling of distress.

There was a feel good factor before the recent break. But as the game against Norwich came closer all the optimism created by Arsenal’s performance started to erode away. Arsenal’s squad has been wafer thin and any more injuries on international duty could have had catastrophic consequences.

Arsenal’s fans have been treading uncharted territories this season: Purchase of 40 million OZIL coupled with being top of the league, has brought about an unfamiliar bliss. But, it is difficult to shake away the lingering feeling that just one accident can bring all this euphoria crashing down.

A break of two weeks can easily bring a discontinuity and one can never really say how much of a distraction it can be for the players. On top of that Ozil, Sagna and Cazorla were carrying injuries and were uncertain to play the match.

Although, all three were named in the starting eleven, it was difficult to say how fit they were. Seeing Aaron Ramsey on the bench was a surprise. Maybe Wenger was protecting him; after all he had played 180 minutes in the last week.

Even though the site of Cazorla, Ozil and Wilshere pulling the strings is a mouth watering prospect, but the lack of speed in the side was a genuine concern. Norwich was expected to play 11 men behind the ball, giving Arsenal possession but no space to play in the final third. The presence of three No. 10s in the starting line-up had the potential of narrowing the play even further.

As it proved, all the anxieties were dumbfounded. Excellent players can always find a way to play together and the most important quality of a team is not brute force and speed, but intelligence of play and quickness of thought and so it proved.

Arsenal started with aplomb, the intricate web of passing and sharp movement of the midfielders was a delight to watch. Presence of Flamini and Arteta gave the team enough steel and balance to allow the fullbacks to maraud forward as and when required, providing the team with ample width.

Though injury to Flamini, did allow Norwich to come back, and give a performance defying their current league position. Arsenal had enough weapons in their armoury to see off the game comfortably. Both the teams played an important part in an entertaining game. Each of the five goals scored were of different species but of high quality.

The final scored flattered Arsenal, but, it was nice to see that they can be clinical as and when required.

Norwich ought to take heart from this performance.

Both teams should use this game as a springboard for an even better performance for the tough weeks ahead.

Arsenal’s fixture list reads Dortmund, C.Palace, Chelsea, Liverpool, Dortmund and ManU.

The real test starts now!!!!