Arsenal vs. Norwich City preview: there’s no place like home

Arsenal finally return to the Emirates to host Norwich City in the Premier League after playing their first four post-shutdown matches on the road. The Gunners are looking to extend their two-match winning streak and keep pace in the chase for the European places. Norwich City are hoping to keep their infinitesimally small chance at not being relegated alive.

When the two sides met earlier this season at Carrow Road, a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang double cancelled out goals from Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell to split the points. The match was Freddie Ljungberg’s first match as interim head coach — remember that piece of this wild season?

I feel as if I’m saying this a lot, but this is one Arsenal absolutely have to win. Norwich are not good. They’ve scored the fewest goals of any club in the Premier League and they’ve conceded the second-most. They also have significant injury issues that will force either a formation shift or players out of position.

Norwich may be in more of an injury/roster bind than Arsenal at the moment. With Timm Klose suspended, the Canaries have one fit, available centerback. They may also be without midfielder Lukas Rupp, right back Max Aarons, and attacker Adam Idah, who all face late fitness tests. Didfielder Moritz Leitner is out. Todd Cantwell, who left their FA Cup defeat with a knock, is fit.

On the Arsenal side of things, Cedric Soares is finally available for selection, and I suspect he’ll play. Lucas Torreira is back in full training and will be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s match, but I doubt he plays. Mesut Ozil is being assessed ahead of the match, as is David Luiz. The long-term injuries (Leno, Mari, Martinelli, and Chambers) are unchanged.

And because it’s Norwich, you get that goal in GIF form. As if I need a reason to post it.

WHAT: Arsenal vs. Norwich City
WHERE: The Emirates
WHEN: 10 AM PST | 1 PM ET | 6 PM BT
US TV: NBCSN. Stream here.

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