Norwich vs. Arsenal: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info
Whichever end of the table you're at, we are approaching a crucial period of the Premier League campaign. For both Norwich and Arsenal, it's crunch time.
After going unbeaten throughout September, Norwich's results have tailed away somewhat. They now find themselves just three points clear of the relegation zone and perilously close to being dragged deep into the battle at the bottom.
Arsenal's problems are rather different. The Gunners have been one of the front-runners in the title chase, but they have begun to slip up of late, having won just two of their last six games. Injuries are taking their toll on a weary squad, and it's essential they return to winning ways quickly to restore confidence and belief.
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There will be plenty at stake when Alex Neil and Arsene Wenger lock horns at Carrow Road.
Date: Sunday, November 29
Time: 4:15 p.m. GMT/11:15 a.m. ET
Location: Carrow Road, Norwich
Television coverage: Sky Sports 1 / Sky Sports 1 HD (U.K. only), Premier League Extra Time (U.S. only)
Streaming: Sky Go (U.K. only)
Form
Norwich
L (0-1) vs. West Brom
D (1-1) vs. Everton (AET, Everton won 4-3 on penalties)
L (2-1) vs. Manchester City
W( 1-0) vs. Swansea
L (1-0) vs. Chelsea
Arsenal
W (0-3) vs. Swansea
L (5-1) vs. Bayern Munich
D (1-1) vs. Tottenham
L (2-1) vs. West Brom
W (3-0) vs. Dinamo Zagreb
Neither side is in a particularly rich vein of form, although Norwich will try to take heart from having run both Manchester City and Chelsea close in recent weeks. However, a solitary clean sheet in 13 Premier League games does not bode well.
Arsenal have been strong away from home too, having won 10 of their last 13 league matches on the road. After the West Brom defeat, Wenger's men will be particularly keen to get back to winning ways on their travels.
The Managers
Norwich boss Neil does not expect Arsenal to dominate possession at Carrow Road. He told the BBC:
"We will be regarded as one of the smaller teams in the league, but even when so-called bigger teams come to our place, they have been happy to sit behind the ball, soak up pressure and hit you on the counter attack - and that sort of surprised me. You would have thought that some of them would have come here and tried to impose themselves, go toe-to-toe, but that has not been the case.
"
His assessment is probably correct: Arsenal have arguably been at their best this season when sitting off teams and looking to hit them with the breakneck counter-attacks spearheaded by Alexis Sanchez.
Wenger seems set to count on Alexis again at Norwich. It might seem as if the Chilean could do with a rest, but the Arsenal manager believes his superstar forward can cope with the huge demands being placed on him. He eulogised about Alexis' physical attributes recently, per Arsenal.com:
"His style is very explosive and very committed. [Jamie] Vardy is a bit similar. They go when they go.
They are like the lion, he has to catch the animal in the first 200 metres. If he doesn’t get there, after he’s dead.
They are these kind of killers. When they go, it is to kill and after they have to stop.
"
Wenger will hope Alexis can deal the killer blow against Norwich on Sunday.
Team News
Norwich
The best news for Norwich is that captain Russell Martin returns to the squad after missing the Chelsea game due to personal reasons. However, powerful midfielder Alex Tettey remains sidelined with a troublesome groin injury.
Neil will hope to use the width of Robbie Brady and Nathan Redmond to hurt Arsenal. Upfront, Dieumerci Mbokani will be asked to use his physical presence to trouble a Gunners back line that struggled to cope with the power of Salomon Rondon at the Hawthorns last week.
Predicted Norwich XI (4-5-1): John Ruddy; Andre Martin, Russell Martin, Sebastian Bassong, Martin Olsson; Nathan Redmond, Youssouf Mulumbu, Jonny Howson, Gary O'Neil, Robbie Brady; Dieumerci Mbokani
Arsenal
Arsenal have been dealt a double blow with the absence of both Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta. However, the midfield has been boosted by the return to fitness of both Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
While Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to begin on the bench, Ramsey made his comeback as a substitute against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek and could be considered ready for a start.
Despite Coquelin's absence, Wenger seems inclined to keep Ramsey on the right wing. He explained, per Arsenal.com:
"Ramsey is more an offensive player. I will use him sometimes there [centrally] when the game demands, but is he naturally with Santi Cazorla a balanced pair? Defensively, certainly, it's a very adventurous one! I used Ramsey on the right because he gives us a balance, because we have Mesut Ozil who is an offensive player, we have Alexis Sanchez, we have Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott and Cazorla so to balance a bit defensively, I use Ramsey on the right. That's where I will certainly continue to use him.
"
That could mean that Joel Campbell, who shone against Zagreb, being relegated to the substitutes' bench once again.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Petr Cech; Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal; Mathieu Flamini, Santi Cazorla; Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez; Olivier Giroud
Players to Watch
Norwich: Nathan Redmond
If Norwich are to cause an upset at Carrow Road, you suspect that Redmond will be integral to their efforts. Of all their players, he is the one most capable of turning a game on its head with a moment of breathtaking skill.
Wenger is a stated admirer of Redmond's talents, per Arsenal.com:
"He’s a young prospect who, for me, has a top individual talent. He has pace, he is creative in his dribbling and he’s one of the players who caught my eye every time I watched the under-21s play. He gives you always the impression that he can create something special."
Spanish full-back Nacho Monreal will have to be at his very best to keep Redmond quiet on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal: Mathieu Flamini
In the absence of Coquelin and Arteta, Mathieu Flamini has become hugely important to this Arsenal team. It seems Wenger is determined to try to keep the shape of his team as similar possible, so Flamini is the most obvious direct replacement for his younger countryman.
O'Neil and Howson are strong midfield runners for Norwich, so Flamini's stamina and awareness will be sorely tested in this game. He'll also have to be mindful of Brady and Redmond cutting in from the flanks. A good performance at Carrow Road could be enough for Flamini to convince Wenger he is the man to plug the gap in his midfield.
James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.
