Arsenal player ratings vs Norwich: Aubameyang scores in vital 1-0 win

Arsenal secured a valuable Premier League victory over Norwich on Saturday as a second half goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was all that separated the sides in a hard fought encounter.

Mikel Arteta made welcome changes from the previous Premier League outing with starts in defence for centre-back pair Ben White and Gabriel. Takehiro Tomiyasu was handed a debut at right-back after only joining up with the side on Thursday, while Aaron Ramsdale was a surprise inclusion in goal.

In midfield there was no welcome return for Thomas Partey, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles partnering Albert Sambi Lokonga, while Emile Smith Rowe was not passed fit after illness to line up in the front three as Nicolas Pepe took his spot.

A lively opening from the hosts was aided by a raucous Emirates Stadium crowd, with Nicolas Pepe in particular seeing plenty of possession and winning a few corners.

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Arsenal player ratings vs Norwich as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores the only goal in a 1-0 win for Mikel Arteta’s side

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has a decent chance when played in behind by Kieran Tierney, only to snap at the chance and drag his effort wide.

The tempo dropped as the half wore on with Takehiro Tomiyasu coming closest to breaking the deadlock for Arsenal when his volley was superbly tipped over.

After the break Pepe was somehow denied from point blank range as Arsenal continued to push, with the goal eventually coming via the foot of Aubameyang who tapped home after an almighty scramble in the penalty box with the post being struck twice.

There were numerous chances falling to Arsenal as Norwich pressed for an equaliser, with Mikel Arteta’s side somehow failing to find a crucial second goal.

In the end though, it was enough.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 7/10 – Didn’t have a great deal to do with Norwich’s efforts at goal not troubling the keeper.

Some nice passes out from the back but a few hit too hard and some a touch wayward. However, after the break, his distribution was excellent.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – 7/10 – Very strong debut from the Japanese international who combined all the elements you’d want to see from a right-back into one package: supported his forwards, tracked runners and won everything in the air.

Tucked infield well as Arsenal built up with some neat play through the thirds. Really impressive.

Ben White (CB) – 6/10 – Calm in possession as you’d like to see and wasn’t overly troubled with men running at him in transition.

Brings some reassurance to the backline, although a baffling decision late on nearly ruined that.

Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – Couple of slightly hairy moments with balls into the box but Gabriel played into feet well down the left flank and slotted a couple of decent balls through the lines.

Made a vital late challenge to deny Teemu Pukki. A huge tackle.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 6/10 – Arsenal’s left-winger, essentially, was unlucky with a couple of crosses that were tightly contested.