Arsenal v Norwich – Confirmed Team News & Predicted Line-up as Gunners look to kickstart campaign

Arsenal and Norwich are set to battle today at the Emirates, and we have favourable news on the injury front(at last).

It has been no secret that the Gunners have unlucky thus far, losing a number of players to injury and positive Coronavirus tests, but go into today’s match with just two players ruled out, while Emile Smith Rowe remains a doubt.

The midfielder returned early from the England Under-21 side with an illness, simply described as ‘not Covid’, and his availability remains unknown at present, with Mikel Arteta admitting in his pre-match conference(via Arsenal.com) that we will ‘see how he is in the next couple of days’

Granit Xhaka will miss today’s match after getting a straight-red card against Manchester City, the first of a three-match ban, while Mohamed Elneny is also ruled out, with at least two weeks before he can return to full training as confirmed by Arsenal.com.

We also have Takehiro Tomiyasu available after we managed to get a work permit just before the registration deadline.

Predicted Arsenal XI:

Ramsdale
Tomiyasu White Gabriel
Cedric Partey Lokonga Tierney
Odegaard Aubameyang Saka

Mikel Arteta has hinted at the use of a new formation in recent weeks, including that the new Japanese signing is suited to playing at RCB, and with Emile Smith Rowe not confirmed as available, this could be the ideal opportunity to try it out.

This team should have more than enough at both ends to get a comfortable victory to get us into winning ways for the first time in the league this term.

Who would you like to see start today? Would this formation suit our playing squad?

Patrick

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35 Comments

  1. How glorious to see an eleven without Xhaka , gloriously banned(shame its only three games and not a lifetime!) AND the finally gone for ever Bellerin , possibly the single worst fullback this century to be a regular pick. I predict a good win, though probably only two goals between the teams, perhaps 3-1.

  2. I like the look of this team very much and would only change out Cedric for Pepe.
    Though we have most of our squad back from illness and injury several will be short of match fitness and the team is still 7 games away from being a well oiled machine.
    Ramsdale will be a PL debutant for the gunners
    Tomiyasu is a complete PL novice.
    White has played just one PL game for us.
    Gabriel is just back from injury.
    Partey also is just back from injury.
    So the defense looks in need of game time.
    Ode has played just one PL game this season.
    Auba has not scored in the league this term.
    I believe we will show a lot of promise but may tire quickly and because of lack of game time together may look disjointed at times.
    4-2 Gunners.

  3. Aubameyang’s pace is more suited to a counter-attacking formation

    But I believe our academy graduates and coaches are more accustomed to 4-2-3-1, thanks to Wenger’s 22-year reign. This also might be why Arteta replaced his three-CB formation with 4-2-3-1

    I’d personally prefer 4-3-3 without a CAM and use the CF as the main pivot instead, as encouraged by Klopp, Low and Guardiola. Unfortunately, we don’t have a CF capable of taking on that role

    1. Gai
      In my opinion we can still use Auba pace when we concead a corner kicks to Norwich we only need tactical midfielders with good passing range.

  4. _____Aubameyang Lacazette
    Saka Odegaard Partey Pepe
    Tierney Gabriel White Cedric
    ___________Leno

    Go all out and attack, what’s there to fear?

    1. I do believe 4-4-2 would be a better fit for a lot of our players, and having 2 up front has the best chance of getting the most out of Auba (which is critical for our season imo) as it would allow him to focus on the things he’s good it, and not have to be so involved in the build up. Unfortunately I think 442 is seen as antiquated these days.

  5. But will a fit and inform Leno be dropped for Ramsdale to start the Norwich PL match today at the Ems? Remember this isn’t a Carabao Cup match at home against Wimbledon. No disrespect to Ramsdale nor underrating his capacity to mann the goal for Arsenal against Norwich in today’s match. In fact I want to see Arteta start all the six newly signed Arsenal players last summer window for this match to see the stuff they are made of.

    AMN, Holding Gabriel, Tierney, Saka, Martinelli, Pepe, should all start the march in my opinion. While Partey should play the midfield holding role behind the defence. And of course Aubameyang and Lacazette should both lead the assault for Arsenal.

    I think it’s going to Arsenal 5-0 Norwich at fulltime.

  6. At the moment I’m not to overly concerned with the team or formation MA puts out as it will probably keep changing throughout the season. 3 points will be nice but even if we lose or draw what I want to see are the players on the pitch playing as a team, giving 100% effort, fighting for possession and when they have the ball attack with speed and purpose. Let’s see some leaders on the pitch and show they’ve got pride in the shirt they wear. Maybe then I’ll have confidence we’re going in the right direction.

    1. I’m totally on the same page with you.

      There isn’t any hunger, precession and team focus. That has got to change. The is a leader in the [defense, middle and attack] entire team. These ought to be sorted out to progress.

  7. I think we are expecting our returning players to be top notch straight away , which won’t be for all if them.
    So I’d only start maybe 2 returning players just to start strong.
    Introduce aome then in 2nd half if we can build up a nice 2 goal lead.
    Hiw many times have our players come back just to get injured in there comeback game.
    4-1 if all goes well

  8. The best news……NO XHAKA!!!! Happy making. This will speed up our game and hopefully we can win well. If not our Director and Manager may be Ex-Director and Ex-Manager. I’m looking forward to seeing Tomiyasu and Lokonga. Martinelli may suit the ‘no Xhaka’ setup. Shame Xhaka is not playing for Roma and Aouar for us.

  9. Well if Arteta unleashes the team, we’ll see a good win, if not, I’m sure we’ll struggle,
    🤞🏽 ,

    Arteta needs to loosen up a little,

    Would love to see

    Tomiyasu-White-Gabriel

    AMN-Partey-Lokonga-Tierney

    Ødegaard-Lacazette-Pepe

    Subs: Saka, Aubameyang, Tavares, Cedric, Balogun, Martinelli

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