Match Preview: Arsenal v Norwich City; Premier League Match Day 37

Well if the mantra heading into Stoke was – just win baby (thank you Al Davis) – it’s not very different this weekend when Norwich come in the Emirates for the final home match of the season.

The impact of a single point gained versus Chelsea and Stoke remain to be seen. Right now it looks like a good point because now that Spurs and Newcastle have their games in hand played – Arsenal still sit one point in front of the other Champion’s League chasers.

It basically means that Arsenal control their destiny. Okay, they’ve controlled their own destiny since as far back as QPR away but now with two matches to play win both – no worries. The opponents this week are Norwich. And like next week’s opponents West Brom, there is nothing left for Paul Lambert’s men to play for. They won’t be relegated and they won’t be in Europe. They are safely ensconced in the middle of the table and safe from all other troubles and set for their next season in the Prem.

But there is vital flaw to that thinking – we’ve shown as a team that when we overlook an opponent (cough, cough, QPR) we come out miserably flat and get outplayed and wind up with a negative result. Arsenal, the players, manager and supporters should not overlook this very capable opponent.

Norwich for much of the season has been an up and down side. They’ve shown moments of absolute brilliance like recently when they went to White Hart Lane and beat Spurs but then they’ve shown themselves to be absolutely poor like their recent 3-0 loss to Liverpool.

Part of it is likely how Lambert approaches each match. He changes his side from game to game and projecting his lineups are usually hard.  They tend to do well with wide play and a flowing attacking style of play, something that should help Arsenal out. The big question mark is in their defense as Lambert’s personnel shuffling has likely led to an inability for any cohesion or consistency in the unit.

In other words, this is not a Stoke or Chelsea who are going to sit back and defend and try to hit on the counter. They will come at Arsenal and try and play with the Gunners. As we’ve said, it is something that should benefit Arsenal – if they come in with the right approach.

This season has shown many things to supporters. One of them is that when Arsenal come into a match with the right mindset and focus, they can play with anybody and likely come out of it with a result. The wins over Spurs, Chelsea, and City and even some of the draws have shown that. However, when as we mentioned earlier they overlook an opponent, they are sorely lacking in any conviction of play.

The key question will be how Wenger will set up and I have to admit it’s been kind of hard to project the lineup with the likes of Walcott and Arteta out and no real like for like replacements for them. Gervinho seems to have fallen out of favor or form and doesn’t seem likely to make the starting lineup which means that Yossi can come in. Rosicky obviously gets the start but whether he takes the Arteta role or his more natural CAM role remains to be seen. If he takes the CAM role then Ramsey will feature in the Arteta role and it’s something he hasn’t done so well.  Putting Rosicky in the Arteta role and Ramsey up front takes one of our most dynamic players out of his best role and replaces him with someone who is struggling with a crisis of confidence.

I am not a big proponent of Oxlade-Chamberlain playing as a starter every week because he is still very raw. His youth and inexperience leads him sometimes to hold the ball too long and lose it when he should’ve passed. It’s all something that will come from time but he doesn’t have that now. Still there may be something in letting him play and offer us speed and strength either on the wing or through the middle.

To me the set-up and mindset are the two biggest issues that will determine the outcome of this match. The talent is there, how it is deployed and utilized is the issue.

How the Match Should Play Out:
Oh who knows. It really depends on how Arsenal approaches this match. We’ve said it all season long, this team is at its best when its committed to pressing as a team, passing the ball quickly and using their speed to effect. Should Arsenal hit Norwich with all that clicking then there is likely not much the visitors will be able to do. With Norwich not likely to sit back it should be a wide open affair with both sides getting some joy. The key for Arsenal – is making the chances count.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Robin Van Persie.  PFA player of the year, FWA player of the year, he simply is the best player in the league by a mile right now. He can single-handedly determine the outcome of any match if he is on target.

Norwich. Grant Holt. 13 premier league goals from a guy who was in the lower tiers of football only 3 seasons ago.

Projected Lineups:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Arteta (ankle)  Mertesacker (ankle) Wilshere (ankle) Walcott (hamstring) Diaby (calf)

Norwich: Drury (thigh) Whitbread (calf) Ayala (knee) Tierney (groin)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal:  Van Persie 28

Norwich: Holt 13

Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 1

Norwich: 0

Goals For:
Arsenal (home): 2

Norwich (away): 1.2

Goals Against:
Arsenal (home): 0.8

Norwich: (home): 1.8

Last Five:
Arsenal: DDLWW

Norwich: LDDWL

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 24

Norwich: -16

Match Official:
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Matches 17, R2 Y51)

Broadcast Information:
US: ESPN 2 ESPN 3 0745 AM EST

UK: ?????? 1245 BST

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!

www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3

Norwich: 1

The Final Word:

We didn’t cover the Podolski signing because we had a thorough covering of it when the deal was first ‘leaked’ weeks ago. However, it doesn’t mean we aren’t enthused. We are. It hopefully signals that Arsenal have learnt their lesson from last season and trying to lock in their dealings as early as they can.

There are some additional rumours that deals for Jan Vertonghen and Yann M’Villa (Can we have a Jan and Yann in the team at the same time?) could be done by the time the season ends. Vertonghen is being courted by Spurs as well, but reports in Holland and elsewhere are that Arsenal are his first choice.

As for M’Villa there is talk that Wenger is keen to get an out and out holding midfielder in the Veiria mold. M’Villa is that one. What this means for Alex Song is nothing in my opinion. Alex has been good as a DM but he is also offering us something different in terms of creativity and it is likely that should Arsenal get M’Villa,  Song’s role would change completely. I don’t buy into speculation he would be sold. Anyway, who cares if we get M’Villa and have Song in a DM role – if anything has been learned this season – you cannot have enough proven players in your squad.

A lot of people are concerned that the signing is a nod to the fact that Arsenal believe Van Persie will leave – I am not getting into that now – however, I do not think Poldi was signed for that reason. Wenger went out of his way to highlight how he sees Robin and Lukas working together. He pictures them working together through the middle and with Lukas on the wings. Poldi is a versatile player and pretty much play anywhere up front. What is clear is that while Poldi is not here to replace RvP, he is here to give us another lethal option BESIDES Robin.

That’s it for now – we’ll see you on the flip side. Stay Goonerish!!

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