Arsenal need to finish third in the Premier League in order to assure themselves of Champions League football next season.
If Manchester City and Liverpool win the Champions League and Europa League respectively (with City finishing outside the top four), then the fourth placed team does not make it to Europe’s premier competition next season.
The Gunners must ensure they win all of their three remaining matches this season, one of which is against Manchester City. Any points dropped could prove fatal as Manchester United are only 5 points behind and have a game in hand.
Lineups
Arsenal FC
Arsene Wenger is set to receive a bit of a boost, as a couple of key players return to the first team squad for the Norwich game. The Frenchman is also likely to give England midfielder Jack Wilshere a start after the injury prone 24 year old came on from the bench in the Sunderland match. Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also back from their injuries, but they are yet to gain match fitness.
Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Cech; Monreal, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Bellerin; Wilshere, Coquelin; Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck.
Norwich City
The big news for the Canaries is that captain Russell Martin is set to come back to the starting XI after recovering from a viral fever. However, defender Timm Klose remains an absentee in the squad.
Possible Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Ruddy; Olson, Bassong, Bennett, Martin; Brady, Howson, O’Niel, Redmond; Naismith; Mbokani.
Key Stats
- Norwich have won only three of their last 28 away matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have netted three or more times in each of their last four matches against Norwich at the Emirates Stadium, in all competitions.
- The Canaries have been unable to score in five of their last six away matches in the Premier League.
- The Gunners are on a seven match unbeaten streak in the Premier League.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-0 Norwich City
Arsenal will be desperate to get out of the fourth spot in the Premier League, as there is still a chance that Manchester United may catch up with them. However, Norwich’s track record away from home is as poor as it can get, and it should not be a problem for the Gunners to coast through this match. With come key players set to return to the fold, Arsenal should be able to see off the Norwich challenge with some ease.
Odds (Paddy Power)
- Arsenal FC: 2/7
- Draw: 9/2
- Norwich City: 10/1
