All is set to change for at least one of these clubs, as both sides have begun the season without collecting a single point. Heading into Matchday Four, Arsenal currently sit at the basement of the Premier League, one place below Norwich City, with goal difference separating the two sides.

The Premier League new boys have had a serious test to begin the new campaign, having faced the reigning Premier League winners in Manchester City; FA Cup champions Leicester City; and Jürgen Klopp’s deadly Liverpool. In spite of the opening three defeats, Daniel Farke’s men have given fans many reasons to believe in the squad this season, as they seek to avoid the drop.

Norwich City

The Canaries face an Arsenal side with new additions, with Ozan Kabak, and Mathias Normann – who both joined the club before the summer transfer window deadline.

Kabak – a young Turkish defender, who was on loan at Liverpool last season, the 21-year-old enters the fray with a weight of expectation, to improve the quality that the club possesses in the position, whilst also valuable and needed depth to accompany Grant Hanley, Ben Gibson, and Christoph Zimmerman.

The early stages of the season highlighted the need for greater recruitment in the defensive areas. The player was highly anticipated with the likes of Leicester, Newcastle United, and Torino all chasing his signature, however, the move indicates a statement of intent for Norwich, as the initial loan move could be turned into a permanent one with a £13 million deal potentially in the works for next summer.

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In the way of Normann, a Norwegian defensive midfielder who again is on loan, but this time from the Russian outfit, FC Rostov. The player joins the club as a direct replacement for the much-loved Alexander Tettey, who departed the club after 10 years this summer.

When joining the club, Normann declared his passion for dictating the style of the play. Music to the ears of Norwich fans, after crying out for a player who can control the middle of the park, to allow the club’s attacking outlets to flourish without the constant defensive demands that have previously been placed onto them.

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Christian Tzolis also is ready to return to the first team, after suffering a knee injury, the Greek winger is reported to take a place on the bench for this fixture in North London

Arsenal
 

An abysmal start to the new season for Mikel Arteta and his men. The campaign started with a 2-0 defeat against Brentford - in their first-ever game at this level. Soon to be followed by losses to Chelsea and 5-0 demolition, at the hands of Manchester City.

Their disappointing start comes at the same time that the club spent the most of any English club in the summer transfer window. Spending £150m, Arsenal signed: Ben White; Albert Sambi Lokonga; Aaron Ramsdale; Nuno Taveres; Martin Odegaard, who was on-loan at Arsenal last season; and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Signing players of significant quality across the pitch, results are expected to pick up, as The Gunners are also in search of their first points this season. 

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A start to forget, for sure, but the club were without two of their attacking stars in Alexandre Lacazette, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; with them both out for injuries and COVID reasons. After being a major miss for Arteta, the pair are set to return for this game, after Aubameyang featured for Gabon during the international break, after only featuring in one of the three fixtures before now. 

In hope of turning the tide, Arteta will be aware that his North London club won six of the last eight meetings with Norwich, going back to the 1-0 defeat Carrow Road in 2012. The most recent of those wins came in a 4-0 victory at the Emirates, in Norwich's relegation season: Aubameyang; Cedric Soares; and; Granit Xhaka piled on the misery. 

Last five meetings 

1st July 2020: Arsenal 5-0 Norwich City 
1st December 2019: Norwich City 2-2 Arsenal
24th October 2017: Arsenal 2-1 Norwich City
30th April 2016: Arsenal 1-0 Norwich City
29th November 2015: Norwich City 1-1 Arsenal

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