Arsenal currently sit at the bottom of the table, with no wins and no goals in the first three games of the 21-22 Premier League season, but the good news for them is that they host the only other team who have failed to pick up a single point so far – Norwich City.
Both Arsenal and Norwich have been poor defensively, conceding the most goals in the first three games of the season. In terms of scoring, Arsenal are yet to open their account in the Premier League, while Norwich have scored once, bringing both teams on an equal goal difference(-9).
The Gunners have lost all of their first three league games this season, losing 2-0 both away at Brentford and at home to Chelsea, followed by a heavy 5-0 defeat to Manchester City at Etihad stadium. They did pick a 6-0 win at West Brom in the Carabao Cup, but it hasn’t been enough to stop the criticism flowing towards Mikel Arteta as his side are desperate to finally kickstart their season with a victory against the Canaries.
Daniel Farke’s Norwich have had a very similar start to the Gunners so far, losing 0-3 to Liverpool on the opening day and 1-2 to Leicester City on matchday 3. Like Arsenal, Norwich also lost 5-0 to Man City at the Etihad and won 6-0 against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup. The Canaries will be hoping to get something out of the game at the Emirates Stadium knowing that Arsenal are currently on a terrible run.
Mikel Arteta will have to cope with a not so short list of injuries and unavailable players. Captain Granit Xhaka is suspended, while Emile Smith-Rowe’s availability is doubtful due to illness. Other injured players include Thomas Partey, Mohammed Elneny and Kolasinac.
Arsenal’s Predicted Started XI: GK – Bernd Leno, RB – Takehiro Tomiyasu CBs – Pablo Mari and Rob Holding, LB – Kieran Tierney, CDMs – Sambi Lokonga and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, LW – Bukayo Saka, CAM – Martin Odegaard, RW – Nicolas Pepe, ST – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The above visual shows that even after being at the bottom of the PL standing, Arsenal have the highest crossing accuracy as they have some very talented wingers. Mikel Arteta and his side need a revival so that they can win back the trust of their fans.
Daniel Farke does not have many injuries in his squad, with winger Placheta, left-back Sam Byram and right-back Bali Mumba the only ones injured. With a couple of deadline day signings ready to make their debut, we have predicted their starters for the game.
Norwich City’s Predicted Starting XI: GK – Tim Krul, LB – Brandon Williams, CBs – Ben Gibson and Grant Hanley, RB – Max Aarons, LCM – Lukas Rupp, CDM – Billy Gilmour, RCM – Lees Melou, LW – Milot Rashica, RW – Todd Cantwell, ST – Teemu Pukki.
No one could have expected Arsenal to be playing in the clash of the bottom two teams in the Premier League, be it after just three games into the season. The above visual shows that Arsenal have the potential to be a good attacking side, having the 5th highest accuracy of passes in the final third. Therefore, Arsenal should be able to come out victorious at least in this game. Daniel Farke’s team are expected to go out and try to win this game, and this might give Arsenal the opportunities to score and get the all needed first victory of the season.
