Kick-off: 1500, 11/09/2021
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
No manager was under more scrutiny during the international break than Mikel Arteta and Arsenal must beat Norwich to help silence his critics.
Both of these teams have yet to pick up a Premier League point this season but all the pressure is on the Gunners at Emirates Stadium.
Arteta’s men should have the class to come good here, though, and we like 13/10 for a home win by more than one clear goal for our first Arsenal vs Norwich prediction.
A Look At Arsenal’s Betting Odds
To be fair, Arsenal were hampered by Covid issues when beaten 2-0 by both Brentford and Chelsea.
A 6-0 EFL Cup romp at West Brom was a welcome boost, especially as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit a hat-trick and Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench to score.
However, going down 5-0 at Manchester City put Arteta back in the dog house, even if Granit Xhaka’s 35th-minute dismissal played a part.
Technical director Edu was forced to defend the club’s transfer policy following fierce criticism and a poor start to the season.
He told Sky Sports: “I understand the pressure on me, Mikel, the board and the club because the situation we are in now is not acceptable.
“But now is the moment for everybody to be together and I would like to see people step forward in difficult moments and take the responsibility.”
At least Bukayo Saka received a nice 20th birthday present by netting in England’s World Cup qualifying win over Andorra.
Aubameyang, Lacazette, Martin Odegaard and £50million defender Ben White should also now be sharper after interrupted returns.
Looking at the Arsenal vs Norwich odds, we reckon 5/4 for the Gunners to score in both halves is a solid bet.
Last Arsenal line-up: Leno, Tierney, Holding, Soares, Chambers, Kolasinac, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Xhaka, Aubameyang.
Arsenal have Thomas Partey available for the first time this season following an ankle injury. New signing Takehiro Tomiyasu could make his debut but Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) is out while Xhaka is banned.
A Look At Norwich City’s Betting Odds
Norwich were predictably put to the sword by Liverpool and Manchester City in a daunting return to top-flight football.
However, they too found some comfort from a big EFL Cup win, hitting Bournemouth for six at Carrow Road, with summer signings Christos Tzolis and Josh Sargent both scoring twice.
The Canaries then put up a brave effort when hosting Leicester, with Teemu Pukki’s penalty cancelling out Jamie Vardy’s early opener before Marc Albrighton claimed victory for the Foxes.
City have completed the signing of Ozan Kabak on a season-long loan from German club Schalke, with the defender having featured 13 times for Liverpool last term.
Head coach Daniel Farke said: “We were delighted to be able to bring him in as there was a lot of competition for his signature. He is highly regarded by many clubs across Europe.
“Ozan has played for some big clubs and also has experience on the international stage with Turkey.
“He’s already had a taste of Premier League football at Liverpool, which says a lot about his potential. He’s also a great character.”
Norway and FC Rostov midfielder Mathias Normann looks another shrewd recruit who will help Norwich’s survival bid.
This is another tough early test, though, especially if the Canaries come to play, as they usually do.
An open contest will suit the Gunners and 11/1 for a 3-1 home win completes our Arsenal vs Norwich betting tips.
Last Norwich line-up: Krul, Aarons, Gibson, Hanley, Williams, Gilmour, Cantwell, Rashica, Lees-Melou, McLean, Pukki.
Norwich will check on several players returning from international duty, including American forward Josh Sargent (hamstring) and Greek winger Christos Tzolis (calf).
Kenny McLean (knee) has been able to train again, but Dimitris Giannoulis (back) and Christoph Zimmermann (ankle) are out. Bali Mumba (knee) and full-back Sam Byram (hamstring) continue their rehabilitation.
Additional stats
Last result:
Man City 5-0 ARSENAL
NORWICH 1-2 Leicester – Teemu Pukki (pen)
Head-to-head: Arsenal 4-0 Norwich, Norwich 2-2 Arsenal, Arsenal 2-1 Norwich, Arsenal 1-0 Norwich, Norwich 1-1 Arsenal
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