Arsenal vs Norwich Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Arsenal welcome Norwich City to the Emirates on Saturday afternoon looking to move up to third in the Premier League table.

We head into the game sitting fifth but just two points off Chelsea and Tottenham, and with neither of our rivals playing a league fixture this weekend we can move up to third with all three points.

We seem to have found form just at the right time and last weekends 2-1 win over West Brom made it three wins on the bounce. In typical Arsenal style, we made life difficult for ourselves at 2-0 by getting a man sent off and conceding a penalty with 20 minutes to go, but we dug deep and secured a vital three points.

Arsene Wenger may have revenge in mind as well this weekend after Norwich won the reverse fixture 1-0 at Carrow Road back in October. The Cannaries were ‘flying’ back then and went on a superb 10-game unbeaten run, but they’ve since come crashing back down to earth and have won just 1 of their last 15 to drag themselves back into the relegation mix.

They are now just four points above safety so will be scrapping for their lives on Saturday, so we need to make sure we’re up for this game as the visitors certainly will be.

Team News

We’ve been boosted with the news that Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott are almost certain to return from injury.

Wilshere hasn’t featured since the defeat to Tottenham back in early March due to an ankle problem but he’s back training and expected to come straight back in tomorrow with Tomas Rosicky likely to miss out with a hamstring strain.

Walcott has been out with a hip complaint but he too is training again and in contention but with the team playing well in his absence, some have suggested he may not automatically regain his place. Gervinho certainly deserves to play but I think we should start Theo on the right with the in-form Ivorian on the left and Cazorla in behind Giroud.

Per Mertesacker is suspended after being sent off against WBA so captain Thomas Vermaelen will return to action while I have a feeling we may see Kieran Gibbs get a run-out after being left on the bench last week.

Abou Diaby is of course out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Lukas Podolski is pushing for a recall after not staring for several weeks.

Norwich are sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Mark Bunn who’s struggling with a groin injury picked up last week against Swansea. Lee Camp is ready to come in should Bunn fail a late fitness test.

John Ruddy did play 90 m inutes for the Norwich development squad on Monday but isn’t ready to be considered for the first team just yet.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

Arsenal are in excellent form of late and if we put in a professional display and keep our concentration, we should win this one. However, if we play like we’ve already won the game, we could be in for a nasty surprise. But I’m going to back the boys to continue their fine run and collect all three points to go third. Arsenal 3-1 Norwich  COYG!!!

What would be your starting line-up for the game and whats your score prediction? Get involved in the comments section below.