Canaries come from behind to draw 1-1 at Carrow Road
Norwich City picked up a hard-earned point at home this evening after holding Arsenal 1-1 at Carrow Road.
The Gunners went into the game knowing that Manchester City had won their game yesterday and that Leicester City and Manchester United drew at the King Power Stadium. However, they couldn’t capitalise on that result as they were held in East Anglia this evening.
As for Norwich, they were unlucky to lose to City and Chelsea in the last few weeks, and they knew they’d be in for another tough test against Arsene Wenger‘s men.
Summary
However, the task was made a bit more doable for City when Laurent Koscielny had to go off due to a hip injury, dumping more injury woes onto Wenger and Arsenal.
The Frenchman pulled up holding his hip region and was immediately subbed for Gabriel Paulista.
Despite the loss of Koscielny, Arsenal did take the lead after John Ruddy gave the ball away to Alexis Sanchez, who found Mesut Ozil who delightfully dinked home to continue his fine form.
The visitors looked like they were going to take the lead into the interval, but a Lewis Grabban goal pulled Alex Neil‘s men level with just minutes remaining.
It could have been even better for the hosts but Wes Hoolahan blasted over from five-yards out when he should have really scored.
The second-half was very open and end-to-end, but neither side could find the net again as it remained 1-1.
A further blow to Arsenal came when Alexis pulled up holding his already-injured hamstring, and he had to be replaced by Joel Campbell.
With Koscielny departing and Alexis as well, the injuries are once again piling up at Arsenal and it sees three crucial players pick up injuries inside two games.
The draw puts Arsenal fourth, two points behind City, while Norwich sit 13th, three points above the drop zone.
Match Reaction
Norwich City manager Alex Neil, speaking to Sky Sports: “We conceded the first goal and at that point I thought we had pressed the self-destruct button, but we showed great character to get back into the game.
“In the second half we started a bit slow and invited Arsenal onto us, but as the half wore on I thought we were the better team.
“Getting the balance right for us was important. At the start of the season we played well but weren’t’ solid enough. Then we became more solid but didn’t have enough quality going forward. I thought we got a better balance today.”
Norwich midfielder Gary O’Neil, speaking to Sky Sports: “We had a go. They had some attacks as well but we had a good shape and caused them some problems.
“In the second half we looked the more likely. We’ve had some tough games recently, Chelsea and Manchester City away. But the performances have been good. Defensively we have been sound but haven’t managed to cause problems going forward, today we found a better balance.
“A point is a good result. Arsenal will have come here expecting to win and we have them a tough afternoon.”
Norwich midfielder Robbie Brady: “We worked our socks off all night and the point means a bit more when you go behind to a team like Arsenal.
“We stuck to the game plan and got the equaliser. We showed good character to come back intio the game and began to look comfortable.
“We created chances and if things had gone our way we would have taken all three points.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:Â “In the second-half Norwich had good chances and we were playing against a team that is physically clever, they defender deep to catch us on the counter attack and we were a bit jaded, not as sharp as usual.”
“We lost Alexis Sanchez, I do not know how long he will be out but it is a big blow. Cazorla finished on one leg, Koscielny we will have to assess tomorrow.
“Sanchez was an important loss today, he pushes defenders back and always is incisive with his dribbling.
“The quality of the performance was below what we can do offensively.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
