Game week 4 predictions: Arsenal to beat Norwich at the Emirates

The duo of Nicolas Pepe and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang are expected to fire Arsenal to success over Norwich on Saturday. (Photo credit: Arsenal.com)

Arsenal vs Norwich City
Emirates Stadium
12:30pm

It is what it is, for Arsenal, preseason is over they have to start climbing the ladder, rock bottom, nine points off the top of the table currently occupied by their next door neighbors Spurs and automatically the subject of all forms of media bants… Welcome to the premier league predictions.

Arsenal will host Norwich City for the many goal rush games on Saturday and nothing short of victory will be acceptable, beyond the fact that they play the team sitting right above them in the relegation zone, the gulf in squad quality isn’t even up for discussion and on paper it should be straightforward.

But with Arsenal, nothing is ever straightforward; Norwich City play fine football, they had the core of them squad together for the international break except for a few including striker Teemu Pukki and squad cohesion should be in their favor.

Arsenal only has Granit Xhaka unavailable due to suspension, the trio of Thomas Partey, Ben White and Gabriel all trained and will be joined by new signing Tomiyasu who will be meeting the fans for the first time as well.

Both sides haven’t registered a single points and either or both of them could put an end to such records on the afternoon with a win or a draw respectively, heaven won’t fall if Norwich lose at the Emirates on Saturday but the position of manager Mikel Arteta will be under serious review should Arsenal lose.

How will they line up? Norwich are fearless, they will attack regardless but how exposed will they be defensively? Daniel Farke’s philosophy is direct and ambitious, and with Arsenal known to be indecisive at the back when pressured, the visitors will fancy their chances.

Arsenal is expected to field their first choice defense, White should partner Gabriel and Tierney should be on the other end of Tomiyasu, Partey should partner Lokonga in the middle and the trio of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka who scored for England during the break and Nicolas Pepe should feature.

Arsenal of course edge the head to head but an entertaining 2-2 draw at Carrow Road in December 2019 would encourage the Canaries, the last of the lot however was a 4-0 win for Arsenal to see off Norwich to the Championship in July of 2020.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang should feature brightly in this one up front, keep an eye on Arsenal’s midfield too.