Match Day Thread Norwich versus Arsenal

How many chances are we getting this half

 

and it looks like Todd has got his mojo back

 

Entertaining game, which we could have won given some of the chances in the 2nd half. Their goalie kept them in it a few times

 

I think this season is going to come down to whether we can find a way to beat the middle-class teams. We look quite good against teams who are good enough themselves to let us play, but we have looked out of our depth against the spoilers like Burnley/West Ham/Palace/Brighton. Two big games coming up this week.

 

Frustrating result but great performance

 

Drawn match and one we could have won if Aaron’s had not been in the penalty area when Arsenal had their first penalty saved. Just read that he was not the only one who encroached. Krull must be annoyed having made the save and there goes 2 points in what is going to be a hard season. At least Pukki was on the score sheet again having netted 5 goals for Finland since he last scored for NCFC. Rumours concerning DF and going back to Germany seem to have abated, but who can blame him when there is little backing for him in transfers so far.

 

A superb game for the neutral but one that could easily have ended 6-3 either way!
And a decent point, given our recent meagre haul of the buggers.

 

Unlike you to be unnecessarily negative, CS. Great performance and two excellent goals. Arsenal had all of the luck, being gifted an unnecessary penalty which they had to be given twice to convert and then a loose ball after the corner fell perfectly for them. After Everton this was a morale lifting performance which should take us forward to the next two crucial games. Our confidence is back in good measure with goals for Pukki and Cantwell and assists to Hernandez and McLean. Hernandez scored 8.0 on WhoScored, just ahead of Pukki (7.7) and Cantwell (7.6). Byram and Aarons kept the shape well and still managed to get forward when possible. Amadou made a couple of mistakes, but otherwise looked assured at DM. The only disappointment for me was Trybull.

 

I am so pleased you said that as I felt he was anonymous most of the time and when I did notice him, it was not his finest moment in a city shirt.

 

RER: I say it as it is. For players to have made such a basic error which eventually cost us 2 points needs highlighting in a league where every point counts especially where we are currently positioned. Sorry, you don’t like it, but I am entitled to my view as you are. It’s the sort of comment that you frequently make and it may keep those with similar views as mine from coming on to this forum.

 

Disgraceful by the Barclay End today. Messing around with the ball made everyone switch off, just as we were fighting to keep a lead.

On a positive note, every player gave their all and that is what we need if we will stay up. Deserved so much more today. King Kenny was colossal! #otbc

 

The improved past two performances after Zimbo coming back can't just be a coincidence

 

Rumours are just that, and goodness knows where THAT particular rumour started. More likely than not just some media hack creating fake news out of our losing run; zero truth in it I'd say. As for your comment about little backing in the transfer market, DF himself has said countless times that he took the job fully briefed about the situation, has every confidence in Stuart Webber, and in the summer extended his contract fully understanding what he was doing and the circumstances prevailing at the club. He's even said he views his job as better and more special than managing a big European club! Is that the talk of someone contemplating walking away and going back to Germany?

 

Couldn’t agree more. Totally different atmosphere.

 

Myself, I'm delighted by the spirit and determination shown by Max and the others who encroached. And it didn't "cost us 2 points" any more than the unfortunate ricochet which presented Aubemayang with his second goal. IMO Arsenal went home with a point only because of three or four top class saves by Leno, nothing to do with the retaken penalty.

 

For me at this stage, this was about the quality of the performance. The win at Everton has brought confidence and you could see that in the sharp passing to move the ball quickly up the pitch to create chance after chance. From the BBC:

"While Norwich may remain in the bottom three, they can consider themselves unfortunate not to have claimed back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since April 2016. They matched the Gunners for shots on target and arguably had better chances overall in a performance full of energy, grit and determination. Pukki's willing running provided an outlet from which to launch attacks, while Ibrahim Amadou showed plenty of industry in midfield and Max Aarons was solid at right-back. Daniel Farke's side also appear to have been buoyed by the renewal of their first-choice central defensive partnership - Christoph Zimmermann and Ben Godfrey. The solidity of that pairing was noticeable when the Canaries captain returned from injury at Everton eight days ago, and while the German conceded a penalty here he was otherwise excellent. The 26-year-old read the game in exemplary fashion throughout and completed more clearances (eight) than any other player."

Oh, yes, and their MotM was Ben Godfrey.

 

Good to see Todd in the Garth Crooks team of the week - fully deserved on that showing

 

I can't remember previous Premier League campaigns where opposition fans have been so genuinely and openly shocked when Norwich get a point or 3. Not sure if we messed up Piers' accumulator but fingers X'd!

 

Why did Trybull disappoint you Rick? I thought he did a solid job on the left side, helping to snuff out such threat as there was from Aubameyang and Chambers. Amadou caught the eye more, but that was because a lot of Arsenal's attacking came through Guendouzi and Ozil, who operated chiefly on Arsenal's left. If you look at WhoScored's ratings based on their algorithm measuring contribution to the game, Trybull scored the same as Aarons, marginally more than Zimmermann, and marginally less than Krul. Did Aarons disappoint? Did Zimmermann?