Arsenal are in stellar form with three straight Premier League matches ending in victory. Mikel Arteta’s team heads into matchday 19 of the Premier League in fourth place and a win over Norwich City combined with a Chelsea loss or draw could see the Londoners move closer to the top three.
Norwich City may have got a small boost in results after sacking Daniel Farke and hiring Dean Smith. However, their boost is finished as Norwich City are now winless in five straight matches. The Canaries last three games in the league all ended in defeat.
Whose finish was better? 🤔1️⃣ @branwilliams2️⃣ @billygilmourrr3️⃣ @kennymclean664️⃣ @ToddCantwell_10Watch the best from Tuesday's session 📽 https://t.co/Dmz4UPTTGk#NCFC pic.twitter.com/02zUGdvLeP— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) December 21, 2021
Whose finish was better? 🤔1️⃣ @branwilliams2️⃣ @billygilmourrr3️⃣ @kennymclean664️⃣ @ToddCantwell_10Watch the best from Tuesday's session 📽 https://t.co/Dmz4UPTTGk#NCFC pic.twitter.com/02zUGdvLeP
Arsenal are not just in good league form, but the Gunners qualified for the Carabao Cup semifinals in midweek with a 5-1 win over Sunderland. Arteta’s team has played well against the Premier League’s lesser sides this season.
In September, the Gunners defeated Norwich City 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second half goal allowed Arsenal to edge Norwich City in the close match.
Arsenal took 12 points from their last 18 points available in the league. They outscored their last six opponents 14-6.
Norwich City took five points from the last 18 points available to them. The Canaries were outscored 8-3 by their last six opponents. No team has scored fewer goals that Norwich City this season. Smith’s team has managed a mere eight goals. The Canaries have conceded the third-most goals with 34.
Arsenal defence has been guilty of conceding goals to top teams. They have allowed 23 goals to opponents while scoring 27 times. Their 27 goals are the fifth-most in the Premier League.
The latest round of coronavirus testing has ruled three players out of the match for the Gunners. Albert Sambi Lokonga, Pablo Mari, and Calum Chambers have all tested positive.
Aubameyang is suspended by the club due to a recent falling out. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are both nearing full fitness and could make the team. Sead Kolasinac is ruled out of the match with a foot injury.
Four coronavirus cases have been confirmed at Norwich City as Christos Tzolis, Josh Sargent, Pierre Lees-Melou, and Lukas Rupp tested positive. Grant Hanley, Milot Rishica, and Andrew Omobamidele are all ruled out with injuries. Smith could have Ozan Kabak and Mathias Normann available from injury.
Arsenal are unbeaten in nine straight matches versus Norwich City. On Boxing Day, the Gunners should make it 10 matches unbeaten versus the Canaries with a win at Carrow Road and over 2.5 goals being scored.