Norwich vs Arsenal preview | Latest team news | Expected Line-up’s | Prediction

Freddie Ljungberg will take charge of his first game as interim Arsenal manager when the Gunners travel to Norwich City on Sunday afternoon. 

Unai Emery was relieved of his duties on Friday morning after overseeing Arsenal’s worst run since 1992 with Thursday night’s defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League making it seven games without a win.

That loss came off the back of a string of woeful performances so the board had no option other than to sack the Spaniard and Ljungberg has been handed the reigns until a permanent successor is found.

The former Arsenal winger has a tough job on his hands as we currently sit ninth in the Premier League table after being held to a 2-2 draw by Southampton at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

However, a win at Carrow Road tomorrow against 18th-placed Norwich would lift Arsenal up to fifth and move us to within five points of fourth-placed Chelsea after they lost at home to West Ham this afternoon.

Team news

Arsenal will continue to be without Dani Ceballos as he’s still nursing a hamstring injury while David Luiz is a doubt after picking up a rib injury against Frankfurt on Thursday night.

Hector Bellerin will also need a late fitness test after missing the last game with a minor hamstring issue but Sead Kolasinac and Rob Holding are back in contention after recovering from knocks.

Ljungberg is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe, Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi set for recalls after not starting in the Europa League in midweek.

Norwich will have Todd Cantwell available after he recovered from an ankle injury that he sustained last weekend while Jamal Lewis is also back in full training after a knee problem.

However, Norwich will continue to be without the services of Grant Hanley while Alex Tettey is unavailable for selection due to personal reasons.

Expected line-ups

Predicted score

Norwich 1-2 Arsenal: Ljungberg is expected to provide the Arsenal squad with an immediate lift as it became clear they weren’t giving their all during the final weeks of Emery’s tenure. This game is a good opportunity for Ljungberg to get off to a positive start as Norwich are struggling this season and Arsenal have lost just one of their last 14 away games against the Canaries.

We head into the game having not won any of our last five Premier League matches but I expect a response from the players following Emery’s dismissal and we should hopefully see a different Arsenal tomorrow. I’m backing the boys to edge it 2-1.