In Focus: How the Canaries can compound Arsenal's misery

The Premier League’s bottom two go head to head as Arsenal host Norwich at the Emirates — and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has never been more desperate for a win.

The hosts are currently experiencing their worst start to a season for 67 years and things could get even worse if the Canaries swoop in and seize all three points.

Ahead of this afternoon's clash, we take a look at how Daniel Farke’s men can compound Arsenal's misery. 

Clicking into gear

Although Norwich have only found the back of the net on one occasion, it has not been for the want of trying.

Their expected goals (xG) tally sits at 3.1, which is not bad considering the club’s opening three league matches have come against Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester.

Norwich's only strike came from the penalty spot as Teemu Pukki levelled against the Foxes, in a game they would later lose.

But it is still a superior record to Arsenal, who have an xG of just 1.9 and no goals to their name — only Crystal Palace have a lower figure (1.5), but the Eagles have at least managed to score twice.

Ill-disciplined Gunners

When the going gets tough, the Gunners typically lose their heads.

This was evident in their 5-0 drubbing at Manchester City as Granit Xhaka foolishly launched himself into a reckless challenge on Joao Cancelo, leaving Martin Atkinson no choice but to brandish a red card.

They are one of only three teams to have had a man sent off this season, as well as having received a further five bookings.

It all paints a familiar story to last season’s woes, where the North London side were shown the second-highest number of red cards in the division (five), with only Brighton (six) showing greater indiscipline.

This was despite Arsenal committing the lowest number of fouls in the top flight (346) in 2020-21.

Temperament appears to be an issue at the Emirates, which does not reflect well on under-pressure boss Arteta.

Pukki party

Finnish forward Pukki got off the mark from the spot and he might have the perfect opportunity to get his first goal from open play today.

Arsenal's 39 shots conceded from inside the box is the second-most in the division, with only Burnley (42) ranking higher.

And of these shots, eight have found their way past Bernd Leno.

Pukki has yet to hit the same heights he scaled in his last top-flight season — which saw him net on 11 occasions during 2019-20 — or the 26 goals he scored in the Championship last term.

But if there is one man you should not allow to shoot in the box, it is Norwich’s No22.

Of his 3.62 shots per 90 minutes in the second tier, 42.8% of these were on target, helping him to a commendable record of 0.36 goals per shot on target in 2020-21.

Cantwell threat

Reportedly a boyhood Arsenal fan, Todd Cantwell was hot property last summer after impressing during his maiden Premier League campaign.

But he stuck with the Canaries as they dropped back to the Championship, before winning the second-tier title once again.

The 23-year-old had six goals and six assists to his name last season but has so far played a much deeper role on the right flank this term. 

He could have some joy up against Kieran Tierney, who has yet to reach the same levels he did in 2020-21. 

The Scottish left-back is 0.91 down on the 2.74 possessions he won in the defensive third per 90 minutes last term.

Atmosphere

If Farke’s outfit can strike early, it begs the question of just how bad the mood could get inside the Emirates.

The Arsenal faithful have famously voiced their displeasure at Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery in the past — and Arteta could be next in the firing line.

Norwich will know the pressure is wholly on their opponents and could cash in on any home negativity by pulling off a rare away win.