Arsenal have gotten things back on track in the past few weeks and after three wins on the trot, the Gunners have managed to break into the top four of the Premier League table.
The North London side beat Leeds United in the previous league match and then went on to pick up a regulation EFL Cup win against Sunderland. And next up, they return to the Premier League where they face Norwich City on Boxing Day.
Unlike the other managers, Mikel Arteta has most of his first-team players fit and available for selection which is why he had the chance to rest some of them in midweek. These players will be fresh as a result and will most certainly start against the Canaries.
Arsenal have played more games than the likes of West Ham United and Manchester United so they will have to keep winning in order to hold onto their place in the top-four of the table. The Canaries have picked up only two wins from their 17 matches and they are sitting at the bottom of the table so we expect Arteta’s side to pick up an easy win on Sunday.
Top four. Three straight wins.
Arsenal are dreaming of a return to the Champions League 💭 pic.twitter.com/foQCrDiRA4
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 18, 2021
Arsenal team news vs Norwich City:
Ben White played against Sunderland while Gabriel was rested in that match. But on Sunday the pair is going to take the field against Norwich.
Tomiyasu picked up a slight knock during the Arsenal match which is why he was rested in midweek. We are still not sure if his knock is serious or not. If he is fully fit then the right-back is a guaranteed starter.
Mikel Arteta opted for a 4-1-4-1 system against Sunderland with Elneny playing as the holding midfielder but vs Norwich, the shape is going to change with Xhaka and Thomas Partey playing as the two central midfielders.
The 4-1-4-1 formation also meant that both Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe got a chance to start but this time around only one of them will get the nod – if Martinelli starts.
Martinelli was splendid against Leeds United which is why he will be rewarded with another start. And if that is the case then Smith Rowe is likely to start on the bench.
Nicolas Pepe ended up with one goal and two assists in the EFL Cup game but the winger is going to make way for young Bukayo Saka down that right-hand side. Aubameyang seems to have played his final game for the Gunners which means Alexandre Lacazette will only again lead the line.
The manager was asked about Auba’s chances at starting during the weekend and Arteta’s response make it clear that the Gabon international is likely to stay at home once again.
The Arsenal boss told the press when asked about Aubameyang’s chances at playing: “We will go game by game and decide the squad as we get closer to the game. What I said is that we make the squad the day before and today, as it’s still Wednesday, I haven’t done the squad.”
Eddie Nketiah scored a brace against Sunderland but the 22-year-old will have to be content with a place on the bench on Sunday.
