Date: Saturday, October 19 Venue: Emirates Stadium Kick-Off: 15:00 Can Arsenal retain top spot in the Premier League with a win over Nowrich?
Team News
Arsenal's Mesut Ozil is fit despite being forced off with a knee injury while playing for Germany midweek. Bacary Sagna and Santi Cazorla have also overcome respective hamstring and ankle injuries. Norwich manager Chris Hughton is sweating over the fitness of Anthony Pilkington, who is a slight doubt with a hamstring problem. The injury forced Pilkington to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad earlier this week. (BBC)
Key Stats
Norwich haven't beaten Arsenal at home since the opening day of the maiden Premier League season in 1992. The Canaries have since visited Arsenal five times in the league without a win (D2, L3). Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six league matches and haven't lost in any competition since the opening day of the Premier League season, when Aston Villa beat them 3-1 at the Emirates. However, Arsene Wenger's side have only managed three clean sheets in their last 14 league games at the Emirates.
Likely Line-Ups
Arsenal Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil, Wilshere, Cazrola, Giroud Norwich City Ruddy, Martin, Bassong, Turner, Olsson, Howson, Tettey, Fer, Pilkington, Snodgrass, Van Wolfswinkel
Match Preview
All eyes will be on Arsenal this weekend as the early pacesetters in the Premier League take on Norwich City in the sort of match that has proven to be something of a banana skin in the past. The Gunners sit top of the table after the international break and at the beginning of what could be a season-defining run of seven games in 23 days. And, with Arsene Wenger's side surely keeping one eye on next week's crunch Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund, it is this sort of pressure that usually separates the title contenders from the title pretenders. Exactly 12 months ago, Arsenal went to Carrow Road after an international break and lost 1-0, and the Londoners will be wary of succumbing to a similar slip-up that would undermine their good work so far this season. Back then though, they didn't have Mathieu Flamini or Mesut Ozil, two players who could be crucial to any successes the Gunners achieve between now and next May. The midfield duo have been in inspired form of late and but one reason why the Gunners find themselves top of the pile. But the big question is, will they still be there by the end of the weekend?
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
