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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Jack Wilshere of Arsenal celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Norwich City at Emirates Stadium on October 19, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Mesut Ozil scored a header off an Olivier Giroud cross. Not the other way round. In any other match on any other day, that would have made the headline. However, Arsenal haven’t been doing things the usual way lately, and they showcased the same in an attacking masterclass on Saturday against the Canaries.
Arsenal were coming off the international break with a sensational run of form after that first day defeat to Aston Villa. However, the more the season progresses, the more that game seems to be a fluke. Arsenal have been in brilliant form right since the win against Bayern Munich, garnering 17 wins this calendar year, the most of any team.
They were expected to start strongly, boosted by the return of Santi Cazorla to the side. And they didn’t disappoint. 18 minutes on the clock and Arsenal produced what could very well be the greatest goal in Premier League history.
Wilshere received the ball deep in his own half and moved it on swiftly to Gibbs on the left. Gibbs passed it forward to Cazorla, who gave to back to the onrushing Wilshere, who took one touch before returning the ball to Cazorla. After this, it was a feast of one touch football. Cazorla passed it first time to Giroud. With his back towards the goal, on the edge of the penalty area, he flicked in with the outside of his foot to the oncoming Wilshere. Wilshere took it first time on an acrobatic back heel which sent the ball back to Giroud. Replicating his earlier pass, he sent the ball through the mesmerized Norwich defence into the path of Wilshere. He took it first time to put it past a hapless Ruddy who could only raise his hands at the agony of being at the wrong end of such a move.
Wenger said it was “one of the best goals” they had scored as it had “skill, teamwork and quickness of mind”, which he wants to see in every goal. The crowd cheered in appreciation, they knew they had witnessed something special. And they were in for more.
Arsenal suffered a blow when Flamini went down after a collision with Tettey. He wanted to continue but was subbed for Aaron Ramsey as a precautionary measure. This shook the defensive balance of Arsenal a little bit with Arteta having to do all the protection of the back four himself. Norwich responded positively and had a bunch of attacking moves but Arsenal held firm to play out the half with a lead.
The second half started energetically, with both sides going for it hard. However, it was Arsenal who again showed how clinical they had become of late. Mesut Ozil scored the first of his two goals after a quick counter attack sent the ball to Olivier Giroud who set up his second of the game with a lofted cross to Ozil. The ball was sent neatly into the bottom corner with a deft header.
Norwich would strike back later with Howson sending the ball beyond Szczesny after a rather sloppy clearance from the otherwise solid Mertesacker. The Arsenal sides of previous seasons would have bobbled at the constant pressure from Norwich and would have in all likeness conceded the equalizer from a quick string of attacks from Norwich. However, this Arsenal side have a calmness about them. They play with guile, grit and assurance and it showed when they doubled their lead with a peach of a goal from the in form Ramsey, his 6th in the last 7 games.
Wilshere turned provider as he passed the ball to Ramsey to the left of goal. Ramsey danced and dangled with the ball at his feet, evading not one but two Norwich defenders before blasting the ball past Ruddy. It refreshed memories of the first of two Samir Nasri goals against Fulham, while he was still at Arsenal.
The juggernaut wouldn’t stop there though and the fourth came two minutes before time with another great piece of play. Rosicky lofted the ball over the Norwich defence from one side of the penalty box to the other. Ramsey met it on the volley, sending it to the feet of Ozil, who finished calmly. This was Ozil’s second goal in five Premier League games, which adds to his tally of 3 assists.
The game was done and dusted and the Norwich manager Chis Houghton said in the post match conference that he thought they were well in the game at half time but Arsenal “have wonderful players who, when they have half-chances, can turn them into goals.”
Arsene Wenger was happy with his side’s performance and praised Norwich for making it difficult for them to score. He was also optimistic about the coming flurry of tough fixtures staring with Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night. He said “We play seven games in 23 days, and that means we will need everybody, it gives me an opportunity as well to give the players a little breather before they will get injured.”
Arsenal have to face Chelsea twice in the coming month along with Manchester United and Liverpool. The players and the fans will both be looking forward to a continuation of the form they have been in. Till then, they have got the Wilshere goal to rewind and replay.
Wengerball is back with a vengeance.
