Do not let the highlights fool you – this was no easy game.
Arsenal’s bright start led to Santi Cazorla having a left-foot shot saved by Ruddy. This would set the tone for Ruddy’s day. Despite conceding four goals, the Norwich keeper can throw his hat into the ring for man-of-the-match. He pulled off some excellent saves but when the Arsenal found their way through with some pinball wizardry, he had ruddy no chance.
The goal was sublime. Santi carried the ball in from the left (as he does) and then it happened. Santi – Wilshere – Giroud – Wilshere – Giroud – Wilshere – stroke it home – the world applauds. If you’ve seen it fewer that thirty times, you’re neglecting you position as an Arsenal fan.
Having fallen victim to such a pillaging, a lesser side would have rolled over, but Norwich didn’t want to play that role. A spirited fight-back saw the underdogs apply their own pressure and forced a save or two from the in-form Szczesny. Arsenal withstood and it was 1-0 to the Arsenal at the break.
Chris Hughton’s men came out in the second half in fighting form. They were “going for it”. The problem with “going for it” against a team with such a proclivity for counter-attacking is that if you don’t score, you’re screwed. And screwed they were. When Santi strode into the opponent’s half, it was only Olivier Giroud in front of him. Giroud pulled wide and it looked like the move may have been in trouble. Meanwhile, from the left came the run of a young man who wasn’t going to be left out of another fine Arsenal move. Cazorla rolled it wide, Giroud played a delectable chip straight on to Mesut’s head and the German nodded home to make the game secure. Or so we thought.
Norwich got the goal they no longer deserved. Arsenal had seen off the uprising but, because things are never as easy as they could/should be, Norwich got one back. A shocking attempted clearance from Per spun off his foot and across the Arsenal box. Jonathan Howson took a touch which would have allowed Kieron Gibbs to close down any shot attempts had the mood taken him. Instead, Gibbs tried to cover the angles, leaving only the front post at which to aim. Howson let fly with an excellent strike and the Canaries were back in the game.
Ramsey, who had replaced a dizzy Flamini in the first half, was playing well. He’d had a couple of efforts on goal and looked like he desperately wanted to get on the scoresheet. From the edge of the box, he faked a shot, leaving two Norwich defenders on their arses. Having enjoyed that so much, he did it again on his left side. Another planted posterior. At this point, another dummy would have been cruel. Ramsey spared the blushed of Norwich and finished coolly past Ruddy. If Ramsey wanted to, he could have put their whole team on their arses but our Aaron is decent and merciful young man. 3-1.
From the left side of the box, Tomas Rosicky chipped a ball to the merciful one. Ramsey knew exactly where Ozil was and he knew what the outcome was going to be if he could just touch it to him first time. Ozil had the whole goals to aim for and, just to rub salt in Delia’s wound, he placed the ball through the legs of the defender on the line. 4-1.
Sagna said afterwards that this was not a 4-1 type of game. Norwich showed a lot of belief and ability to cast doubts over our sensational run continuing. Class prevailed and the three points went to the magnificent Gunners.
I’ve really just covered the goals, the real talking points are where you come to the fore. Please feel free to comment and tell me what I should have written. That is what makes this site the finest forum out there.
Thanks for reading,
Up the Arsenal.
Positively Arsenal 
EPIC!!!
……..”if Ramsey wanted to, he could have put their whole team on their arses but our Aaron is decent and merciful young man. 3-1…………”
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You say you only covered the goals but really you could have waxed about any one of the goals for a thousand words and none of us would have complained! A fair assessment, I’m glad you gave Nor Witch their due because they played really well and while it wasn’t a 4 – 1 match over the ninety in truth it could have been a whole lot worse for them. There were handballs and penalties not given and Giroud had a ball taken off his head by a defenders toe when he was guaranteed to score and earlier had another certain goal saved by a very good keeper low at the near post.
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Very fair B7 and the past three times the Canaries have been to the Emirates every game has had good open football from the visitors and they always get on the scoresheet
As you correctly say Ruddy had a good game yesterday – none of the goals he could do anything about and he made at least two other saves of exceptional quality that kept the score reasonable.
In the wacky world of PL football I wonder if Ruddy might be lured away if Nohweech continue to struggle
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Nice summary B7… as you say you effectively covered the goals and there was certainly another team on the park yesterday. I am having awful images at your ‘rubbing salt in Delia’s wound’ line but I guess they’ll fade with time.
Flamini’s early departure, I feel, made for not only the introduction of Ramsey but also a significant and anxiety provoking rudderless spell for us. I mentioned in a reply yesterday that I was worried Santi and Mesut may be rarely used and that was based largely on that particular spell. We went through a phase of seeming to have no midfield in terms of there being a bloody massive gap between front and back albeit we still coped as the team reorganised itself, metamorphising perhaps a touch slower than one would have liked with the change in dynamic, sans Flamini.
Spells of utter class won the day I think, but Norwich showed some class and professionalism that, as you also say B7, may well have been absent in a lesser side after The goal. (henceforth it so shall ever be known (until the next such one))
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A good match review although we should really say there were Norwich defenders everywhere that had been “arsed” by Aaron and some of the pictures from the aftermath of the goal look like a battlefield.
The other incident considering the Cardiff game was the free kick ruddy got after having the ball stole off him … consistency eh? and it was nowhere on tv
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The goal was even better than you describe, if that’s possible.
It was Santi-Wilshere-Santi-Giroud-Wilshere-Giroud-Wilshere-goal.
And a beautiful thing it was. Think I must be up to 40-times now.
Good write-up.
VCC
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Bit harsh on Per man. It was a block rather than a clearance for me and the ball could and did go anywhere from that. Unfortunate more than sloppy, bad play etc. If anything Gibbs could have got to the ball quicker to block the shot.
But that’s splitting hairs when what we should be doing is enjoying the result and goals and some of the amazing interplay, team work, effort etc.
The team have the capacity to score goals from almost nothing, that has been possible due to the form of several key players, not just the signing of Mesut, although his arrival has clearly boosted the squad and belief.
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Good stuff B7.
Sad indeed about Adam,I will attempt to do him justice over the next few days.
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it pains me that the media still find a way to take the credit away from arsene despite turning this team they said is not good enough to compete for top four to genuine title contender. instead they attribute our rise to the purchase of ozil. ozil has been great for us but this team has improved all round. not just ramsey but jenkinson and everyone at the club. credit should be given wenger for building a new team from scratch.
earlier this season harry rednapp said our team cant be compared to spuds’ in term of quality. if this is the kind of coaches england produce, i cant see any way out for england. wenger is head and shoulder above them in this country and it must be hard for him relating with most of these imbeciles.
get well soonest flamini.
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After Flamini was replaced by Ramsey, we didn’t seem to get into our defensive shape quick enough. I think it may be due to players having to adopt new roles. eg Jack moved from right to left to accommodate Rambo. But in the last 20 minutes was a lesson in offensive dominance proving to me, at least, it is either Arteta or Flamini not both, especially at home.
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Lovely review, bradyesque (enjoyed the recent podcast with Geoff Arsenal as well, btw, PG).
I was sitting in the Clock End when the best team goal I’ve ever seen live was scored and I literally could not believe what I had seen. I had to watch the replay on the big screen to confirm. Sumptuous. Then in the second half, one of the best individual goals I’ve ever seen also had me gaping. I was reaching for comparisons – Messi? Maradona? – and remembering what someone here said once: “Mesut Ozil must be wondering, how the hell have I not heard of Aaron Ramsey?”
The atmosphere at the ground was wonderful – confident, joyous, raucous. We’re all a team, now – players and fans working for each other. We were not perfect, but we are now so confident that nothing knocks us out of our stride. We know no fear.
Dexter makes a fair point about Per’s attempted clearance, and I agree with Shotta – Flamini + Arteta feels a bit like Denilson + Song from a few seasons ago. However, I expect AW has a plan, he usually does.
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Didn’t Flamini and Arteta play together vs Napoli? That worked, just a bit!
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And I have to say a word about Giroud. Total centre forward, Arsenal style. There was a time when the team was set up to serve the main striker, now the main striker serves the team. The big guy is having a terrific season and long may it continue. He is twice the player he was last year – and I was a big fan of his last year – who knew he had such great touch? The backheel flicks for Jack were Bergkampesque. And that ball that he planted on Mesut’s forehead – I can imagine him saying to himself, this is the kind of service I would like for myself. He was being fouled continually with absolutely no protection from the officials but he just kept fighting gamely.
And I do hope that RvP is looking up the table and taking note of Aaron’s sensational form. The same kid he reportedly wanted AW to ditch. Bet you wish you were playing with him now, eh?
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Re Napoli game, yes, it did, Dexter – you’re right there.
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Good to see you back at work Brady7!
Almost LANS.
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Ooh, and another thing – anyone noticed how Kos has virtually stopped going to ground with last-ditch tackles?
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Shotta 5:05pm
You’ve gotta rope-a-dope them first, before you unleash the boom boom boom!
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It seemed to take a while for us to adapt to Flamini’s absence. Perhaps we’ve been too accustomed to the security and freedom that he, together with Arteta, give to the attacking players to do their thing. I felt there were times when Arteta was left with too much work to do after Flamini came off and a few of the front players were a little casual in getting back and helping him out. I think Flamini’s energy and aggression as soon as we lose the ball buys us a bit of time to filter back at a more gentle pace, without him Norwich were getting into our final third a bit quicker than they had before.
Having said that I never felt we were that threatened, our back line coped very well. Most of their shots came from outside the box and I was more worried about Probert than Norwich (how did he not see Pilkington’s foul on Per in the build-up to their big chance? And Ozil and Cazorla both had good claims for a penalty that could have been vital in another game).
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I felt from watching the match on TV there was a 25 minute spell at the end of the first half and beginning of the second where Norwich were doing well, it was due to Arsenal backing off a bit and letting the Norwich come into our half without pressing them too much. This meant that only 1 or 2 quick passes could have made a goal scoring opportunity against us, and they had a few decent chances – well done Shezzy.
Once TR7 came on to replace a fading Santi, this was sorted out.
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dc
there was also a blantant handball just on the edge of norwich box that he refused to call. he must be disappointed we won massively in the end.
sir szczesny was fantastic again yesterday.
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my comment actually is to leos’
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@LeoS
Fair point. Usually, if you are playing at home, you can expect to get the benefit of the doubt from the referee, but somehow this does not apply to us. Most referee performances at our ground this season have been shocking, the decisions never seem to go our way.
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Good to see you again Dex. Yes Flamini and Arteta were brilliant vs Napoli. I can easily see that combination in certain situations but not at the expense of unbalancing our attacking potential. But then I have never argued with AW’s team selection.
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@ FunGunner
October 20, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Word! As the yute dem might say!
Re the team easing off during the match, it was not really surprising as it is hard to maintain that level of intensity for 90 plus minutes so soon after an International break and probably with half a mind on the Dortmund game. The difference this season is that AFC are much better at absorbing a bit of pressure and then switching up the gears when they need to get their noses in front. They are much more clinical going forward and the first 3 goals were scored when we were not particularly in the ascendancy in the game. It was like things were ambling along and then all of a sudden, bish, bash, bosh and it’s in the back of the net. Despite their best efforts and credit to Norwich they really tried to play and make a game of it, they never really knew what hit them.
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I agree shotta, but again I point to the fact that Norwich have given us trouble before and we were coming off the back of Internationals, so that game had potential banana skin written all over it.
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“Ooh, and another thing – anyone noticed how Kos has virtually stopped going to ground with last-ditch tackles?”
I thought he was excellent yesterday playing like a sweeper at the back. He made some really important interceptions in a very cool, calm and collected manner.
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Totts fans throw a smoke flare at the linesman and hit him on the back of the head.
Expect the PL, FA and PGMOL to do sweet Fanny Adams about it.
Imagine the outrage and points deduction if Gooners did something as reckless and stupid?
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Nice writeup BRADYESQUE7.
so very good for the confidence of all involved. I hope FLAMINI is all right and the crew are all mentally ready for our next opponents in the coming days. Especially Dortmund. And I hope in addition to all this the fans are ready to ROCK the place and let the guys know vociferously how much they are loved and appreciated. THANKS AW for a fantastic campaign so far and let the lady luck be right behind us and giving us the rub of the green.
UP WITH THE GUUNERS OF ARSENAL!!!!!!!!!!!!
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DEXTER
good to see you mate. You have been missed. Work load must be very heavy. Glad all is well..
And again , rest in peace ADAM. you will be remembered mate….
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I understand and to some extent agree with SHOTTA & DEX about playing MIKEL & FLAMSTER together but I think the role MIKEL is playing then is the box to box which he is very proficient at. I think against some teams this might serve us very well. With good rotation they will all contribute their part and we will benefit also in the injury department and player fatigue will be manageable.
Looks like WOKO, OG, AARON AND SANTI have been putting in the most minutes on the pitch for us. They will be given breathers here and their to keep them fresh and their hunger level for game time high.
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Norwich is a team you want to see in the division. I have no doubt they’ll do better than Sunderland and Stoke this season.
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I second that. I like their manager too. The only bitterness comes when I remember how BACARY’S leg was stumped on and broken playing against them last year and how our lionheart was trying to stand up and play even on that broken leg.
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I have to disagree with some about Flamini. We scored the wonder goal with him on the pitch so he didn’t detract from our attacking style – in fact the opposite he helped to win the ball back and close down the opposition in such a way that we remained on the front foot. Norwich immediately came into the game after he left the field. We missed him enormously. I just don’t see how all these players will get to play as much as they ought to. Can we not be allowed to field fourteen?
EDIT: Now I’ve just lost confidence. We did score that goal while he was still there didn’t we?
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I found an interesting article linked from a BBC one about Arsenal’s ‘crisis’ summer.
It seems that some bloggers do get what Wenger has being trying to achieve.
http://hitrowz.com/2013/06/05/arsenal-ready-to-challenge/
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Indeed he was Steww.
I think in the big games, we can play nos 8 and 20 together for the first hour, to wear out the opposition, then bring on nos 7 and 19 to really do them over.
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Where have you been PG? I was getting rather concerned…….
I’ve been sparring with Kevin Witcher and a few reluctant types on the On line Gooner….there are still plenty ther that cannot give credit where it is due. Apparently Alex Fynn gave an audience last Friday and claimed that Arsene has had money for the last FIVE years but refused to spend. And he TOLD the Board he will NOT spend……so to put it simply Wenger is a liar when he claims that we have only recently turned the corner financially…..
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This is good http://wp.me/p3TyLs-eT
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Alex Fynn is a bitter twat
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nice we are going up steadily… one game at a time…
Dex man… good to see (is that read?) you! Been a while
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PG 10:22pm
Thanks
“Arsenal’s attacking play is the story of the day. The Gunners attacking are at times casually violent. They have spasms of utterly unstoppable attacking play that seemingly emerge from nowhere,”
Liked that line.
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That’s a lovely write-up. Having watched the game twice (and I’ll have to watch it again), I saw – here on PA – the news about Adam. That made me very sad. RIP Adam.
I’ve only now returned to my previous warm feelings, although it’s not that I’d entirely lost them.
It’s an interesting debate – the Arteta/Flamini one. I did notice Flamini getting well forward at times, and not only in this match. I was surprised Ramsey hadn’t started and yet I expected Wilshere to start. He did. Generally I couldn’t care less who Arsene picks, given that he watches them training every day, and sets out the game plan an’ all. For the sake of it I guess I’m happy to see both of them start (presently), particularly as there are 2, 3 or 4 experienced players who are a bit ring-rusty/short of playing time, so they can do whatever they’re capable of and be subbed by whomever. (Master tactician, me).
I mean, what’s it like when someone goes off and Ramsey comes on? What’s it like when someone goes off and Rosicky comes on? I’m pretty sure my ears didn’t deceive me when I heard our crowd singing for Bendtner when he came on. Just imgaine – there’s Theo and Oxy to come and of course, Serge. (I always think of that heavy breathing music when I hear that name. No, not Donna Summer, “Oooooooooooooh, love to love you baby” – not that one – the other, earlier one:
So, before you decide I’m just a moany pervert, I’d like to remind you that there are comments on this and the previous post where some of you have talked one sort of orgasm or another, right? (Under the guise of a nice goal). You shout at the telly, or in the stadium “SHOOT”, don’t you?
And then there’s Steww – seemingly lamenting that some may’ve ‘spent’ too much time replying only to the BJ part of his own post??? This is the same Steww who only last month (or the month before) wrote a piece about Kos/having an affair – well summat sexual/orgasmic – unless that just happened to be my interpretation of his brilliant essay.
What I’m trying to say is Don’t shoot up the messenger (cum intended).
Now, what was that about the game?
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And let me get it in first – just in case you’re thinking it:
You may ban me but I’ll still be reading this great site.
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Frank Sidebottom RIP.
The best thing to come out of manchester in decades.
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Well, the Arteta-Flamini conundrum is going to be a bit moot for a few weeks, if news of the Flamster’s concussion is accurate.
He probably would have got a card for the challenge if he wasn’t carried off, and that would have had him out for the Palace game. Maybe that was the plan, who knows?
Poldi and Theo seem to be making slow recoveries and Santi needs game time to get back to his best form, so I am a little bit nervous about Tuesday. On the plus side: Ramsey, Giroud, Wilshere, Özil and Rosicky are on top of their games.
Arteta is somewhere in between, in terms of form.
For the defence and goalie, I have no worries even though they have shipped more goals than games so far in the League. The silly mistakes will get ironed out in the second half of the season.
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It’s wonderful that Jack and Mesut are scoring, a very good sign. Jack has 2 in 2 now, one long range tester and one sublime passing. Scoring comes in patches, I don’t know why, it just does, psychology mixed with form and confidence I suppose, who knows, you score one, oh yes, you want more, and more. So Jack’s game, which has not been his best to date in open play, although he is playing fairly unfamiliar left, now includes good goals and the confidence that comes that. Mesut’s are important and impressive because both were “striker’s goals”, that 60 yard dash into the box to head home, the other a poacher’s delight at finding prey in front of his eyes.
Theo is out for another 2 weeks minimum, and Lukas and Ox still some weeks away. Sanogo and Zelalem, I don’t know. But we still look to have depth, including 7 fit and ready midfielders (assuming Flamini is soon fine), 2 fit strikers, plus 3 with Ryo, and 4 with Serge on the right, 11 players chasing 6 positions. In addition we have Nacho as an option for a defensive left midfielder, so 12 at a stretch, not bad. The only one that might not be ready for this level is Ryo, but he’s in the mix it seems, so not that far.
When you are 3 senior players down, and can still choose a bench from: Flamini, Tomas, Bendtner, Serge, or Ryo as midfield and offensive options, it is not bad.
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spuds have a £32m player they dont know how to use. that is what buying just to please the fans can cost you. lamela is the least of their worries. the player that can help them mitigate the loss of bale was already with them, but they still went ahead to buy lamela just to show ambition.
the funniest thing is that gervinho is having a greater impact at roma than their fake christiano. roma now top their league five point ahaed of juventus.
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AW knows if we can beat Dortmund, who apparently have their own little injury crisis, we are 9 points to the good, and that makes things much, much easier; 10 being the usual cut off for automatic progression, mathematically.
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I’m not sure I agree fully that Arteta and Flamini should not ever play together, it depends; it would not be the usual start; certainly not in overlapping roles, although even that remains a defensively dominant option, one we might employ in the last 15 minutes of many matches, when we seem to shift to 4-4-1-1 from a 4-2-3-1; but Arteta, being the more versatile, can quite easily play in Aaron’s role, but less offensively, or perhaps that’s less forcefully.
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double canister October 20, 2013 at 8:02 pm
i embrace that and only hope we learn from them and do same and worse to any bastard with a yellow, black, grey uniform and a whistle. 🙂
as for the art-flam……. we dont have wingers currently and we play with 3 amc behind the striker ..when all these three are front helping giroud ..sagna and gibbs stay alone and one of art or flam will have to cover santi or jack ….it was the same with napoli ..we played with flam-art and three amcs in front of them.
theo and poldi track back more succesfully than say cazorla or ozil…. so in games when we miss our threat from flanks we might use that set up again….it could also swith to one at the back ( flam) and arteta with rosicky in front of him.and ramsey with wilshere will have to learn from art-rosi only right now ramsey beats them all with his energy and form and cant stay out the squad.
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…………….arteta………flamini…..ramsey………………
……………………..ozil…………..santi…………………….
……………………………giroud……………………………..
or even ?
…………………………..flamini……………………………..
………………ramsey…………..ozil………………………
theo…………………………………………………..poldi..
…………………………..giroud…………………………….
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