It's all Norwich as they continue swarming into the Arsenal half of the pitch. They eventually end up winning themselves a free-kick on the halfway line, which results in Ruddy running up the pitch to join in with the attack. The goalkeeper is able to make contact with the ball and flicks it over towards Mbokani, but the striker is standing in an offside position and the linesman's flag is quickly raised as a result.
90' +1
Norwich once again get themselves into a good position, this time down the left flank, before a curled cross is flung into the penalty area. It finds the head of Jerome, but the striker's attempt on goal is poor and sails comfortably wide of the Arsenal goal.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
89'
M. Jarvis enters the game and replaces S. Bassong.
Norwich have made their final change of the evening, and it's an attacking one, with Jarvis coming on to replace Bassong.
It's all Norwich at the moment as they desperately try to find a way back into the game. This time they decide to go long, as a lofted pass is flung up the pitch and towards the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, where it finds Jerome. The striker rises high before nodding the ball down towards Naismith, but Cech is just about able to cut out the danger at the vital moment.
87'
Gabriel charges into Naismith and brings the Norwich man crashing to the ground, resulting in a free-kick for the visitors in a dangerous position 25 yards away from the Arsenal goal. After spending an age eyeing up his target, Redmond eventually steps up and unleashes a thumping shot, but it's sent straight into the wall of red and white shirts camped in front of him.
85'
M. Özil gets yellow.
Ozil is caught in two minds after penetrating the Norwich penalty area, and he ends up scuffing an attempted cross straight to Bassong. The ball then bounces back towards the German before he catches O'Neil with a high foot, resulting in a free-kick for the visitors. The Arsenal midfielder refuses to face the referee after being asked to do so by the man in charge, and he's eventually shown a yellow card for his behaviour.
84'
F. Coquelin enters the game and replaces A. Sánchez.
Sanchez doesn't look at all happy as he trudges off the pitch to be replaced by Coquelin. The Chilean then heads straight down the tunnel, but it doesn't seem as if he's picked up an injury.
82'
What a save by Ruddy! Elneny receives a loose ball on the edge of the Norwich box and immediately unleashes a brilliant volleyed strike that looks certain to find the back of the net, but the goalkeeper is there to tip the Egyptian's effort over the top of the crossbar and out for a corner.
80'
Giroud goes close! Sanchez picks up the ball just outside of the Norwich penalty area and quickly chips a dangerous cross towards the penalty spot. The French striker rises high to try and meet the ball but it misses his head by the narrowest of margins before flying into the ahdns of Ruddy.
79'
Olsson breaks down the left wing before doing well to earn his side a corner. It's curled into the middle of the penalty area, where it finds Elneny, but the Egyptian can only nod the ball over to Bassong. The defender is completely unmarked in front of goal but ends up sending his headed effort looping over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
Minute
Description
78'
S. Naismith enters the game and replaces R. Brady.
Norwich have made their second change of the game, with Naismith coming on to replace Brady.
77'
A lofted pass forward flies over the top of the Arsenal defence and looks set to find Jerome, but Cech does well to read the flight of the ball and rushes out to deal with the danger with a thumping clearance on the edge of the box.
75'
Despite being 1-0 up, Arsenal's lead doesn't look entirely comfortable and Norwich are starting to find more joy in front of goal now that they're playing with two strikers on the pitch. However, the hosts are looking equally dangerous at the other end, but, as has been the case all afternoon, they're slightly overplaying things when in advanced positions.
73'
What a strike by Ozil! A chipped cross from Ramsey can only find Bassong, but the defender's attempted clearance is sent straight into the feet of the German midfielder. He immediately unleashes a rocket of a volleyed shot, but it sails just a few inches over the top of the crossbar after beating the fingertips of Ruddy.
71'
And now Arsenal go close! Gabriel's clearance results in a corner for Norwich, but it fails to result in a chance on goal. The hosts easily deal with the danger before breaking forward on a quick counter-attack that sees them go four on three inside the visitors' half of the pitch. Ozil then launches a brilliant volleyed pass straight into the feet of Sanchez, but the Chilean is quickly put under pressure by Olsson and ends up firing his 20-yard shot straight into the hands of Ruddy in the middle of the goal.
70'
Vital interception by Gabriel! Redmond breaks down the right flank on a great run before firing a low cross into the path of Mbokani, who had darted quickly into the penalty area, but the Brazilian centre-back is there to poke the ball away from the striker with an excellent sliding block.
68'
Dieumerci Mbokani enters the game and replaces W. Hoolahan.
It looks as if Alex Neil has decided to play two up front, so Mbokani comes on to replace Hoolahan in his first substitution of the game.
67'
After spending the vast majority of the second half firmly on the back foot, Norwich are finally able to push forward on an attacking move of their own. Hoolahan darts towards the edge of the Arsenal penalty area before teeing up Brady on the left flank, but the winger's curling cross is overhit and fails to find the head of Jerome.
65'
Another opportunity for Arsenal! Welbeck darts down the left wing on a great run before finding Ozil with an even better cross. The German immediately flicks the ball on to Giroud, who is in a good position in front of goal, but the Frenchman's first touch is far too heavy and ends up giving the ball back to Norwich before he's able to shoot.
63'
Chance for Sanchez! Ozil and Elneny link up well in the middle of the pitch before the Egyptian picks out the Chilean in a pocket of space just outside of the penalty area, but his curled strike from 20 yards out fails to trouble Ruddy and sails comfortably wide of the goal.
61'
Arsenal scream for a penalty, but it's not given! A low cross from Monreal flies into the middle of the Norwich box, where it's cut out well by Bassong. The defender immediately thumps away a clearance that bounces off the leg of O'Neil and into his arm, but the referee immediately waves away the home side's protestations and allows play to go on.
59'
D. Welbeck has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by O. Giroud.
Giroud has received a lot of stick from the Arsenal fans today, but he did really well to rise high and pick out Welbeck with a great nod down that picked out the Englishman perfectly.
GOAL! Arsenal have finally found the back of the net! The hosts keep putting the visitors under plenty of pressure before Bellerin finally launches a cross into the heart of the penalty area, where it finds Giroud. The Frenchman rises high and nods the ball down to Welbeck, who immediately unleashes a brilliant half-volley that flies past the outstretched limbs of Ruddy and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
57'
Norwich can't clear the danger from deep inside their own half of the pitch and gift Arsenal with a chance to push forward once again. The hosts do so well before Elneny unleashes a thumping strike from the edge of the box, but it takes a deflection that sends it out for a corner, which the Canaries are just about able to deal with.
56'
D. Welbeck enters the game and replaces A. Iwobi.
Welbeck makes his way on to the pitch to replaced Iwobi, and the Arsenal fans don't seem too happy about that decision. They were convinced that it was going to be Giroud and seemed shocked when the youngster's number was raised.
54'
Arsenal patiently work the ball around deep inside the Norwich half of the pitch as they desperately try to find a way through the sea of green and yellow shirts camped in front of them. Ozil is eventually able to find himself in a pocket of space just outside of the visitors' penalty area, but his attempted cross towards Giroud is poor and ends up missing the head of the Frenchman.
52'
Ozil is fouled in the middle of the Norwich half of the pitch as he tries to break forward and wins his side a free-kick as a result. Elneny steps up and launches a looping cross over towards the far post, but there's too much power on the attempted pass and it ends up sailing harmlessly out of play for a goal-kick.
51'
Gabriel Paulista enters the game and replaces P. Mertesacker.
Mertesacker is really struggled after stretching his hamstring whilst battling for the ball with Hoolahan, and he's forced off to be replaced by Gabriel for the remainder of the game.
49'
Almost another chance for Jerome! This time it's Redmond who fires in a dangerous cross after doing well to pick up the ball deep down the right flank, but it flies just over the head of the striker, who made an almighty leap to try and reach the ball. It then finds Olsson on the opposite wing, but the Swedish full-back's cross-cum-shot sails straight into the hands of Cech.
48'
Brady breaks into the left-hand side of the Arsenal penalty area before firing a great cross over towards Jerome at the back post, but it misses the head of the striker by a yard or so before bouncing over to the right wing.
47'
Arsenal quickly push forward through Iwobi, who charges towards the edge of the Norwich penalty area before laying the ball off to Monreal. The Spaniard then swings a cross into the middle of the box that finds Giroud, but the Frenchman's attempted header is poor and sails well away from the visitors' goal.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45' +2
Great opportunity for Mertesacker! Ozil is caught in the face by a flailing arm from Bassong, resulting in a free-kick for Arsenal midway down the right wing. Ozil steps up and curls a cross into the middle of the box that eventually finds the German centre-back, but his bullet header fails to trouble Ruddy and flies out of play for a goal-kick.
45' +1
Once again, Redmond finds himself with the ball at his feet in a dangerous position just outside of the Arsenal penalty area. He takes a quick touch and takes advantage of tentative defending from Mertesacker and Koscielny to fire a bouncing shot that beats Cech before rolling a yard or so wide of the far post.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
The visitors keep putting pressure on Arsenal and quickly win back the ball as a result. O'Neil then charges towards the edge of the hosts' box and plays a lovely one-two with Redmond before unleashing a curling strike, but he puts far too much power behind the shot and sends it several yards over the top of the crossbar.
44'
Norwich quickly win back possession and come back once again, this time down the right flank, but, after getting himself into a good position near to the byline, he ends up firing a wild attempted cross over everybody inside the Arsenal penalty area and out for a throw-in on the opposite wing.
43'
Fantastic save by Cech! Norwich move the ball around quickly on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area before Brady picks out Redmond with a chipped cross, but once again the winger's thumping volley is parried away by a strong stop from the Czech goalkeeper.
41'
Elneny charges towards the edge of the Norwich penalty area before poking a pass towards Iwobi, but Pinto is there to cut out the danger inside the box. The Portuguese full-back's attempted clearance is poor, however, and gifts the ball back to Arsenal, but once again Iwobi is unable to find a way past the right-back.
39'
A high foot from Ozil catches Martin and results in a free-kick for Norwich just inside their own half of the pitch. The defender launches it up to the Arsenal penalty area, where it finds Jerome, but the striker's header on towards Hoolahan is well cut out by Mertesacker before it can find the Irishman.
38'
Chance for Koscielny! Bassong's headed clearance results in a corner for Arsenal, which Ozil curls towards the near post. The French centre-back is completely unmarked and is able to send a bullet header towards goal, but his effort ends up flying just wide of its intended target.
37'
Ozil weaves his way towards the Norwich penalty area before being clipped from behind by Howson, resulting in a free-kick for the hosts in a dangerous position 30 yards away from the visitors' goal. Elneny lifts a great cross into the heart of the box but Bassong is there to head the ball away from danger at the vital moment.
35'
Arsenal win themselves another corner after an attempted Monreal cross deflects off Pinto and out of play. This time, Ozil's cross does find a red and white shirt, but Giroud's attempted header over to a teammate is poor and easily cut out by the visitors.
33'
The resulting set-piece is curled into the middle of the penalty area but fails to trouble the Norwich defenders before Howson goes down after clashing heads with Bassong. The referee quickly calls for the medical team to come on to the pitch but it looks as if the midfielder is going to be able to continue.
32'
Chance for Arsenal! Ozil cuts inside from the left wing before cutting the ball back to Elneny, who is unmarked in a pocket of space just outside of the penalty area. The midfielder takes a quick touch before unleashing a side-footed shot, but Bassong is there to deflect the effort out for a corner.
30'
Once again, Arsenal get themselves into a good position on the edge of the Norwich penalty area but just can't seem to cause the visitors too many problems. This time it's Monreal who swings a cross into the box, but it's underhit and there's nobody there to meet it, making life very easy for Martin.
28'
Jerome holds up the ball well on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area before picking out Pinto, who had made a determined run down the right flank. The full-back immediately looks to whip a cross into the box but is quickly closed down by Koscielny, who dispossesses him with a strong but fair sliding tackle that leaves the Portuguese in a heap on the floor and quite a lot of discomfort.
26'
Iwobi breaks down the left wing before firing a 20-yard through ball into the path of Giroud, but the Frenchman's run is slightly mistimed and he's quickly flagged offside as soon as he makes contact with the ball just outside of the Norwich box.
24'
Arsenal just can't seem to break into the Norwich penalty area, no matter what they try to do. Once again, Sanchez gets himself into a good position before trying to pick out Bellerin with a deft through ball, but Brady is there to cut out the danger with a vital interception.
22'
Elneny loses the ball in the middle of the pitch, allowing Norwich to break away on a quick counter-attack. Brady initially gets forward well before trying to pick out Redmond with a pass into the centre of the park, but it's slightly overhit and is cut out by Koscielny before it can find the winger.
20'
Sanchez breaks into the Norwich box on a marauding run before firing a low cross off a green and yellow shirt and into the path of Giroud. The striker adjusts his body quickly and attempts to unleash a close-range scissor kick, but Pinto is there to bravely stick his head in the way of the ball to stop it from finding the Frenchman.
18'
It's all Arsenal at the moment as they continue to try and put Norwich under plenty of pressure as possible, but so far the visitors have done well to deal with everything that's been thrown at them. The Gunners will have to increase the tempo of their attacking moves if they're going to be cause the Canaries enough problems to fire themselves into the lead.
16'
Iwobi twists and turns on the right-hand side of the Norwich penalty area as he desperately tries to find a way past Olsson. He eventually has to spin and work the ball back to Ozil, who then also attempts to beat the Swedish full-back but is unable to do so and has to settle for a throw-in near to the corner flag on the right wing.
14'
Jerome picks up a loose ball in a pocket of space 25 yards away from the Arsenal goal and immediately decides to unleash a volleyed strike, but there isn't enough power on the effort and it ends up sailing straight into the hands of Cech.
12'
The 12th minute arrives and a few pockets of Arsenal fans raise anti-Wenger banners in protest of the Frenchman's reign at the club, but it doesn't seem to be a wide-ranging display from the home fans and some are even singing songs in praise of their manager.
11'
Vital block by Martin! Ozil skips past his marker with ease before finding Ramsey, who then quickly pokes a deft pass into the feet of Giroud. The striker takes a touch before unleashing a thumping wlo shot from just inside the penalty area, but, once again, Martin is there to throw his body in the way of the effort.
10'
Great play by Arsenal! Iwobi cuts inside from the left flank before playing a lovely one-two with Giroud just inside the Norwich box. The teenager then takes a quick touch before trying to beat Ruddy at his far post, but the youngster's strike is scuffed slightly and ends up bouncing a few yards wide of its intended target.
9'
Sanchez weaves his way along the edge of the Norwich penalty area before poking a pass out to Bellerin, who is in a pocket of space just outside of the box on the right wing. The full-back quickly chips a cross towards the penalty spot, but Martin is there to deal with the danger with a strong header away.
7'
And now Jerome goes close! Cech's save results in a throw-in deep down the right flank, which is sent short before another dangerous cross is whipped into the middle of the Arsenal box. It finds the Norwich striker but his first-time half-volley ends up flying a few yards wide of the near post.
6'
Chance for Redmond! After winning the ball back, Norwich break forward on a brilliant counter-attack. Hoolahan charges through the middle of the pitch before sending the ball out to Olsson, who then swings in a cross from the left flank. It bounces over to Redmond, who is completely unmarked at the back post, but his thumping volley is parried away by a strong save from Cech.
5'
Arsenal patiently pass the ball around deep inside the Norwich half of the pitch as they try to find a way into the visitors' penalty area. They're unable to do so, however, and Iwobi ends up losing possession cheaply just outside of the Canaries' box.
4'
Norwich quickly win the ball back and push forward through Howson, who then tees up Jerome with a well-placed through ball. It initially looks as if the striker has successfully bent his run but the linesman's flag is raised for offside just as he's about to shoot.
3'
Brady flies down the left wing on a marauding run before finding his path blocked by Bellerin. He then spins and finds Hoolahan, who then tries to poke a pass over to Olsson, who had made a good run forward, but it's slightly underhit by the Irishman and is cut out by Elneny.
1'
And we're off! Arsenal get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Arsenal and Norwich City at the Emirates Stadium.
Another disappointing season has left many Arsenal fans feeling frustrated at both the board and Arsene Wenger, the latter of whom once again finds himself faced with questions about his future at the club. Two supporters’ groups are planning to stage protests during today’s game, and it could end up having an impact on a side that desperately need to pick up all three points this afternoon. Last weekend’s frustrating goalless draw away to Sunderland resulted in the Gunners dropping down to fourth place, still on course to qualify for the Champions League for yet another season but worryingly close to Manchester United, who have won four of their last five Premier League games and sit five points behind the North London club. In contrast, Arsenal have won just twice in that time, leaving them in real danger of finishing behind in-form Manchester City. The two teams are currently tied on 64 points, meaning that Arsene Wenger’s only priority now is to win the remaining three games of the season in an attempt to guide his side to a third-place finish for the second consecutive campaign, but with a trip to the Etihad scheduled for eight days’ time, the battle looks set to go down to the wire.
As for Norwich, they may currently sit at the opposite end of the table but their job is exactly the same as Arsenal’s. Sunderland’s draw last weekend was enough to move them out of the relegation zone, sending the Canaries down in their place, and the Black Cats now sit one point in front thanks to today's narrow 1-1 draw away to Stoke City. After winning back-to-back games against West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United, Alex Neil’s men head to the Emirates with two defeats from their previous two clashes, leaving them in desperate need of all three points today. Despite the Gunners’ current struggles, it’s not going to be easy, and Norwich’s run-in looks just as difficult, with games against Manchester United, Watford and Everton still to play before the end of the campaign. Their poor away form hasn’t helped, and they currently have just one win from their last eight league clashes played away from Carrow Road. During that time they have managed to find the back of the net just twice, with scoring goals proving to be a real problem for them. Strikers Dieumerci Mbokani and Cameron Jerome have both looked poor in front of goal, with the former scoring just once in his last 11 appearances whilst the latter hasn’t hit the back of the net at all this year. If Norwich are to have any hope of pulling off a much-needed win today, their forward line will have to be in top form.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Norwich City substitutes: Rudd, Whittaker, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Jarvis, Naismith, Mbokani.
Arsenal substitutes: Ospina, Gabriel, Coquelin, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Welbeck.
Arsene Wenger has decided to name an unchanged Arsenal side to the one that drew 0-0 away to Sunderland last weekend, but there’s a place on the substitutes’ bench for Santi Cazorla, who is back and available once again after a five-month absence through injury.
Meanwhile, Norwich boss Alex Neil has made five alterations to the side that lost against Sunderland two weeks ago, with Russell Martin, Ivo Pinto, Nathan Redmond, Wes Hoolahan and Cameron Jerome all coming into the starting line-up to replace Andre Wisdom, Ryan Bennett, Matt Jarvis, Steven Naismith and Dieumerci Mbokani, respectively.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
Norwich City XI (4-4-1-1): Ruddy; Pinto, Martin, Bassong, Olsson; Redmond, O’Neil, Howson, Brady; Hoolahan; Jerome.
Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Elneny, Ramsey; Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi; Giroud.
HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 NORWICH CITY
Boos and grumbles ring around the stadium as the two teams make their way off the pitch, and they certainly aren't coming from the Norwich fans. The Canaries have been absolutely excellent so far and have continually put Arsenal under plenty of pressure whenever the Gunners have pushed forward, resulting in the hosts failing to have a single shot on target. At the other end of the pitch, Alex Neil's men have caused several problems for Mertesacker and Koscielny, who have struggled to deal with the skill of Redmond, who has arguably been the most impressive player on the pitch thus far.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 NORWICH CITY
In the end, Arsenal just about had enough in the tank to see off a Norwich side that fought hard but, as has been the case over the course of the season, really struggled in front of goal. Jerome and, later, Mbokani tried their hardest to cause problems for the hosts' back four but just couldn't seem to find any joy, and for the sixth time in seven Premier League games the Canaries leave without scoring a single goal. As for the Gunners, today's victory wasn't their most convincing of the season but nonetheless moves them above Manchester City, who are in action against Southampton tomorrow afternoon.
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