Arsenal vs Norwich: 4 things we’d like to see from Arteta’s side

The international break is usually met with audible groans. Even if the period just passed came at a perfect time for Arsenal it equally succeeded in making the past two weeks feel like an anxious eternity.

Despite a record-breaking start – of the bad ilk – everyone is just itching to watch Arsenal again. It’s been a long 14 days and even if it’s refreshing to not have one’s weekend ruined for a change, all we pine for is the next game.

When the disappointment and anger turns to apathy you know it’s time something significant happens. That stage may have been reached for some, but for others there is still scope for change. Norwich would be a decent enough place to start.

This is the chance to build towards a run of fixtures that will see Arsenal slowly climb up the table. A win on Saturday will not be rewarded with a pat on the back. It’s the absolute bare minimum.

Arsenal vs Norwich: 4 things we’d like to see from Mikel Arteta’s side in Saturday’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium

Likewise, if Arsenal draw or lose then Mikel Arteta’s job goes one step closer to becoming untenable. For many, if not most, it already is.

Thus from that point of view, Arteta can’t win.

But Arsenal can. And they need to show a lot more bottle, fight and ultimately quality if they are to come away from this one with smiles on their faces.

The last three Premier League fixtures have been diabolical and if traits seen dotted throughout those performances are on show against the Canaries then the home supporters might as well cancel their trains into north London. Save themselves the effort.

Here are 4 things we’d like to see against Norwich.

1. A Fast-Paced Start From Arteta’s Men

Arsenal play better when they’re on the front foot. They’re not a recovery team.

This is gloriously exemplified by one of the more damning statistics to have emerged throughout Arteta’s tenure: in the 18 matches Arsenal have been trailing at half-time, they’ve won none of them (D3 L15), while last season Arsenal were leading at half-time in 11 league matches, going on to win all of them.

In a nutshell, it helps scoring the first goal.

Rightly called out for having a weak underbelly or being so overly pragmatic with the style and desire to score the perfect goal, the Gunners are embarrassingly futile when it comes to clawing their way back into matches.

So don’t let it happen. And not just because it’s statistically an anomaly to recover from it, but also to create a buzz; get the blood pumping and the decibels rising around the stadium.

Coming out of the traps and setting a marker early doors, whether that’s a quick ball into a forward’s feet and a direct shot or a crunching tackle (to win possession, of course), there has to be an early tripwire to set the tone for what is hoped to be a comfortable afternoon.

Despite it being the players on the pitch, it’s the manager who has to get them fired up for this one.

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2. Mental Toughness

It doesn’t always pan out how you’d like. Especially with the current installment of Arsenal.

An all guns blazing start with the wide areas being pummeled and the Norwich players camped deep in their own half is what we’re hoping for. We may get that too, but it may not result in a goal. This is where the resilience of this side will be tested.

Farke’s side will be relishing this. They’ve had a tough start to the campaign but seeing Arsenal on the fixture list, especially on a ground they’ve been desperately poor on for 12 months, will be seen as an opportunity.

Fans are anxious and angry, while the players are nervous. There will be spells in this match where the visitors will have joy in advanced areas so weathering those storms and winning the duels when the game gets bitty could be where this game is won and lost.

If it gets to the 60th minute with the scores goalless it’s going to be a real test of character. The home crowd will be angsty and the confidence will begin to drain as fear of being too forward thinking could prove damaging the at the other end. How long can the self belief last?

Equally, if Arsenal do get their noses in front, perhaps even by just a single goal, the issue of game management comes into effect, as does the strength of Arteta’s much-maligned substitutions. He will need to show a mental toughness to act in the right stages of the match just as the players need to react in line with the flow of the game.

Some mental steel has to be on show, whether the score is level, Arsenal are losing or if their noses are in front.

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3. Variety in Attack

Everyone knows how Arsenal line up in possession just as all sides in the division are aware of the preference to feed Kieran Tierney out wide and look for routes into the box laterally.

Aside from needing to change up the angles of attack, Arsenal may be forced to: Kieran Tierney played three consecutive 90 minutes for Scotland over the international break. He won’t be in his finest fettle.

The addition of Martin Odegaard isn’t solely with an eye on bolstering the overall creative numbers in the squad, it’s about bringing variety to the attack with playmaking qualities spread across the lanes of attack.

Thomas Partey will help. He brings progression in central areas and has the ability to pick out teammates in between the lines, cutting out the middle men, so to speak. Arsenal need to be progressing the ball quickly up to the forwards to cause unrest in the opposition before producing effective end product: detect, disrupt and deliver.

Predictability has been one of the primary qualms under Arteta as he aims to scrip the perfect goal each time, while his adoration for Tierney has gone to such lengths that every manager in the country knows where the danger is coming from.

Use Odegaard’s centrality, look to switch the play quickly to either flank and instill a balanced combination of runners in behind and players picking up half-space zones. Keep the opposition guessing.

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4. Player Partnerships & Combinations Developing

After it was confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu secured his work permit in time to be able to feature in this game, Arteta has the chance to use any number of his six additions from the summer.

Saturday could come too soon for Tomiyasu though, Nuno Tavares might only be a late substitute and Aaron Ramsdale may have to bide his time for his Premier League debut for the club, but all the tools are at his disposal.

While there are still absences and many of the new arrivals as well as those just returning from injury won’t be at key sharpness, this is now the closest we’ll have come to seeing Arteta’s team.

And it’s one that will grow in collective ability over time through the strengths of its partnerships. Most notable is Ben White and Gabriel in the heart of defence, who it’s impossible argue aren’t the best two centre-backs at the club. Their bond can only grow through minutes and considering both are 23 years old, it’s hoped this will be the first choice centre-back pairing for years to come.

How they work in tandem and accentuate each others’ strengths while helping nullify certain weakness will be key to watch unfold. It won’t be perfect. Not from the off, for sure.

In midfield everyone is itching to see Sambi and Partey combine, with the mere thought of additional mobility and dynamism in that area of the pitch an unfathomable concept with Xhaka in the team. Injuries and suspensions mean the two can get a solid run of minutes together in the coming weeks. Can they keep their pairing going even further?

And how will Odegaard and Aubameyang combine? As one of the few players in the squad who can play those through balls into the spaces behind that the captain thrives off, the Norwegian has a task on his hands.

It would be a huge surprise to suddenly see everything click on Saturday in regards to new on-field relationships and player combinations, but signs of progress (and enough to secure a win) will be worth looking out for.