24 December 2021, 16:39 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Nesting at the bottom of the Christmas tree, the Canaries return for this Boxing Day fixture against the Gunners aiming to cause an upset. Norwich City vs. Arsenal FC kicks off at 16:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, December 26, at Carrow Road.
Preview Norwich City Premier League, Dec 26, 2021
Preview Norwich City's match against West Ham [scheduled for Saturday, December 18] was postponed, and they now return from a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa. Rooted at the bottom of the table, in 20th place, Norwich has three defeats in a row: DDLLL, with 10 points acquired from 2W, 4D, & 11L. Dean Smith remains in a race against time to save the club from relegation, and the turn of the New Year will come with the extra pressure to start picking up valuable points, should he fail to pick up a point here. Despite Smith's bright start at the helm, the Canaries appear to have slipped back into the doldrums, picking up only one win (1W, 2D, and 3L) after six games with Smith in charge at the club. Norwich are unable to create, averaging a goal ratio of 0.47 g.p.g. all season, having scored only 8 goals in 17 Premier League games. Meanwhile, the club is the third-highest conceding side in the league, having let in 34 goals (2 goals conceded per game). Smith must look to tie up loose ends on both sides of the pitch to see any improvement at the club. A 4—3—3 formation with Pukki at the focal point of attack is expected from Dean Smith for this fixture against Arsenal.
Preview Arsenal Premier League, Dec 26, 2021
Preview Arsenal are coming off the back of a 5-1 win over Sunderland in the EFL Cup quarter-final, which saw Eddie Nketia (17', 49' & 58') bag a hattrick. Back in the Premier League, they defeated Leeds United 4-1 last weekend at Elland Road. A brace from Gabriel Martinelli (16’ & 28’), coupled with goals from Bukayo Saka (42’) and Emile Smith Rowe (84'), were enough to settle the contest of ninety minutes. The victory saw Arsenal jump two spots ahead, from 6th to 4th place, on the Premier League table, having picked up 32 points from 10W, 2D, & 6L. Mikel Arteta aims to make it four victories in a row: LLWWW, on Sunday when his side takes on the Canaries. We didn’t pick up any injuries yesterday [Wednesday], Arteta said. Obviously, before the game, we lost Calum [Chambers] with Covid. We are tested every day, and we will see how it goes, he added. Arteta’s 4—2—3—1 formation could see Alexandre Lacazette playing in front of Martin Ødegaard once again. Meanwhile, Maitland-Niles missed the Carabao Cup fixture against Sunderland due to illness, while the troubled ex-skipper, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, remains ruled out of the squad.