• NORWICH RATINGS: Angus Gunn - 5: First game for Norwich, in for Covid victim Tim Krul, and could not do anything about the goals as his defence was repeatedly ripped open. AFP
    NORWICH RATINGS: Angus Gunn - 5: First game for Norwich, in for Covid victim Tim Krul, and could not do anything about the goals as his defence was repeatedly ripped open. AFP
  • Max Aarons - 5: Frustrated on a couple of occasions when teammates failed to pick out his attacking runs quick enough. Up against an in-form player in Martinelli but stuck to task. AFP
    Max Aarons - 5: Frustrated on a couple of occasions when teammates failed to pick out his attacking runs quick enough. Up against an in-form player in Martinelli but stuck to task. AFP
  • Ozan Kabak - 4: Turkish defender gifted possession to Arsenal that would lead to opening goal. Well-timed sliding challenge on Martinelli just before half-time but gave away late penalty for clear foul on Lacazette. AFP
    Ozan Kabak - 4: Turkish defender gifted possession to Arsenal that would lead to opening goal. Well-timed sliding challenge on Martinelli just before half-time but gave away late penalty for clear foul on Lacazette. AFP
  • Ben Gibson - 6: Captain immediately on back foot from first whistle as Arsenal attacked at will. Good block on Odegaard strike from edge of box. Couldn't lift his side who were outclassed for majority of game. AFP
    Ben Gibson - 6: Captain immediately on back foot from first whistle as Arsenal attacked at will. Good block on Odegaard strike from edge of box. Couldn't lift his side who were outclassed for majority of game. AFP
  • Brandon Williams - 5: Nutmegged by Saka for first goal, turned inside out by same player for third and found life a struggle against the England attacker. Reuters
    Brandon Williams - 5: Nutmegged by Saka for first goal, turned inside out by same player for third and found life a struggle against the England attacker. Reuters
  • Kieran Dowell - 4: Like rest of Norwich midfield, couldn’t get foothold in game as Arsenal dominated possession. Hooked in second half. Reuters
    Kieran Dowell - 4: Like rest of Norwich midfield, couldn’t get foothold in game as Arsenal dominated possession. Hooked in second half. Reuters
  • Billy Gilmour - 5: On-loan Scottish midfielder couldn’t lay glove on Partey or Odegaard. One shot deflected wide of target just before hour mark. AFP
    Billy Gilmour - 5: On-loan Scottish midfielder couldn’t lay glove on Partey or Odegaard. One shot deflected wide of target just before hour mark. AFP
  • Kenny McLean - 5: Lacked the confidence to look for the killer ball forward and not on same wavelength as teammates at times. Felt he should have had second-half penalty when pulled over by Lacazette in box but referee and VAR not interested. Getty
    Kenny McLean - 5: Lacked the confidence to look for the killer ball forward and not on same wavelength as teammates at times. Felt he should have had second-half penalty when pulled over by Lacazette in box but referee and VAR not interested. Getty
  • Przemyslaw Placheta - 5: In rare Norwich attack in first half, the Pole sent a cross-come-shot straight at Ramsdale. Booked for shoving his chest at White as tempers frayed late in opening period. Reuters
    Przemyslaw Placheta - 5: In rare Norwich attack in first half, the Pole sent a cross-come-shot straight at Ramsdale. Booked for shoving his chest at White as tempers frayed late in opening period. Reuters
  • Josh Sargent - 4: Frustratingly poor passing at times and skinned embarrassingly easily by Tierney just after break. Limped off a dejected figure in second half. Getty
    Josh Sargent - 4: Frustratingly poor passing at times and skinned embarrassingly easily by Tierney just after break. Limped off a dejected figure in second half. Getty
  • Teemu Pukki - 4: Nice one-two with Placheta in opening half but generally struggled to make any impact, although received little or no service. One chance in second half but couldn’t get shot away after poor defending from White. AFP
    Teemu Pukki - 4: Nice one-two with Placheta in opening half but generally struggled to make any impact, although received little or no service. One chance in second half but couldn’t get shot away after poor defending from White. AFP
  • SUBS: Pierre Lees-Melou – (On for Dowell 66’) 5: Match over by time he was introduced. Getty
    SUBS: Pierre Lees-Melou – (On for Dowell 66’) 5: Match over by time he was introduced. Getty
  • Adam Idah – (On for Sargent 72’) 5: No opportunity to make difference with Arsenal in cruise control. PA Christos Tzolis – (On for Placheta 75’) N/A.
    Adam Idah – (On for Sargent 72’) 5: No opportunity to make difference with Arsenal in cruise control. PA Christos Tzolis – (On for Placheta 75’) N/A.
  • ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 7: Quick off his line to sweep up after 33 minutes and prevent Pukki getting in on goal. Good handling on few crosses Norwich sent in but generally a spectator. PA
    ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 7: Quick off his line to sweep up after 33 minutes and prevent Pukki getting in on goal. Good handling on few crosses Norwich sent in but generally a spectator. PA
  • Ben White - 7: Always pushing forward from centre-half and regularly popped up in the opposition box. Sloppy pass in second half handed chance to Pukki. AP
    Ben White - 7: Always pushing forward from centre-half and regularly popped up in the opposition box. Sloppy pass in second half handed chance to Pukki. AP
  • Rob Holding - 8: First league start since August and produced an accomplished performance at back, albeit against a toothless Norwich attack. One important recovery challenge to sweep up and deny Pukki chance after White error. Reuters
    Rob Holding - 8: First league start since August and produced an accomplished performance at back, albeit against a toothless Norwich attack. One important recovery challenge to sweep up and deny Pukki chance after White error. Reuters
  • Gabriel - 7: Cool and calm at the back, although almost too cool in first half when he passed back straight to Norwich only for ball to rebound out for goal kick. Getty
    Gabriel - 7: Cool and calm at the back, although almost too cool in first half when he passed back straight to Norwich only for ball to rebound out for goal kick. Getty
  • Kieran Tierney - 8: One good run and cutback in first half somehow evaded five teammates in the box. Found room down left to fire home second with low shot off inside of post. AFP
    Kieran Tierney - 8: One good run and cutback in first half somehow evaded five teammates in the box. Found room down left to fire home second with low shot off inside of post. AFP
  • Thomas Partey - 8: Couldn’t get head round Saka corner after 10 minutes and put chance well wide but dominated midfield with Odegaard. Obvious booking for rugby tackling Kabak to floor didn't take shine off excellent display. Getty
    Thomas Partey - 8: Couldn’t get head round Saka corner after 10 minutes and put chance well wide but dominated midfield with Odegaard. Obvious booking for rugby tackling Kabak to floor didn't take shine off excellent display. Getty
  • Granit Xhaka - 7: Harsh first-half booking after winning strong challenge on touchline then getting involved in a bit of a shoving match with Norwich players. Solid in centre of park. PA
    Granit Xhaka - 7: Harsh first-half booking after winning strong challenge on touchline then getting involved in a bit of a shoving match with Norwich players. Solid in centre of park. PA
  • Bukayo Saka - 9: Nice low finish into corner to open scoring after six minutes. Sent an ambitious overhead kick well over later in half. Teased and tormented Williams before firing home his second – and Arsenal’s third. Reuters
    Bukayo Saka - 9: Nice low finish into corner to open scoring after six minutes. Sent an ambitious overhead kick well over later in half. Teased and tormented Williams before firing home his second – and Arsenal’s third. Reuters
  • Martin Odegaard - 8: Into the groove from the off, provided simple assist for Saka goal, excellent ball into feet of Tierney for second and heavily involved in fifth. Excellent show from Norwegian. PA
    Martin Odegaard - 8: Into the groove from the off, provided simple assist for Saka goal, excellent ball into feet of Tierney for second and heavily involved in fifth. Excellent show from Norwegian. PA
  • Gabriel Martinelli - 7: Chose wrong option when shooting straight at Gunn from distance with teammates better placed in first half. Won ball back well at start of move for second goal. Had ball in Norwich net after break but deflected shot ruled out for offside. Getty
    Gabriel Martinelli - 7: Chose wrong option when shooting straight at Gunn from distance with teammates better placed in first half. Won ball back well at start of move for second goal. Had ball in Norwich net after break but deflected shot ruled out for offside. Getty
  • Alexandre Lacazette - 7: Striker, who remains captain in Aubameyang’s absence, should have made it 2-0 in first half but headed Saka cross well wide. Appeared to pull down McLean in own box after break but nothing given. Side-footed home penalty to make it 4-0 after being fouled in box. Reuters
    Alexandre Lacazette - 7: Striker, who remains captain in Aubameyang’s absence, should have made it 2-0 in first half but headed Saka cross well wide. Appeared to pull down McLean in own box after break but nothing given. Side-footed home penalty to make it 4-0 after being fouled in box. Reuters
  • SUBS: Mohamed Elneny – (On for Partey 75’) 6: Nice time to come on with Arsenal three up. Reuters
    SUBS: Mohamed Elneny – (On for Partey 75’) 6: Nice time to come on with Arsenal three up. Reuters
  • Nicolas Pepe – (On for Saka 78’) N/A. Deflected shot fell at feet of fellow substitute Smith Rose for goal No 5. EPA
    Nicolas Pepe – (On for Saka 78’) N/A. Deflected shot fell at feet of fellow substitute Smith Rose for goal No 5. EPA
  • Emile Smith Rowe – (On for Martinelli 82’) N/A. Tapped home fifth goal from close range. PA
    Emile Smith Rowe – (On for Martinelli 82’) N/A. Tapped home fifth goal from close range. PA

Norwich v Arsenal player ratings: Kabak 4, Pukki 5; Odegaard 8, Saka 9


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Arsenal made it four Premier League wins in a row after destroying bottom club Norwich City 5-0 at Carrow Road.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring after six minutes after drilling a low finish past Angus Gunn in the Norwich goal, after being teed-up by Martin Odegaard.

The Norwegian then supplied the second goal just before half-time with a fine ball to put Kieran Tierney away down the left and the Scot drilled a shot into the net, via the inside of a post.

Saka made it 3-0 after 67 minutes when he twisted and turned Brandon Williams inside out before firing home. Alexandre Lacazette made four from the penalty spot after the French attacker had been fouled in the box by Ozan Kabak and substitute Emile Smith Rowe tapped home from close range in stoppage time to complete the rout.

The Gunners are fourth in the table and maintain their six-point lead over fifth-placed North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have three games in hand. Manager Mikel Arteta said: “It is not easy to win away from home in this league, the way we performed and how dominant we were, it was really impressive.

“I think in general, collectively and individually, we had some big performances and you don’t win 5-0 away from home if you don’t do that so I am happy with all the boys.”

Norwich remain bottom of the table on 10 points - three points shy of safety - after their 12th defeat in 18 games. Manager Dean Smith said: "We have been beaten 5-0 at home and the coaching staff and I now have to try and lift the players. I'll have a debrief with them about this game and make sure we are ready for the next game."

Player ratings for the game can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.

Updated: December 27, 2021, 2:47 AM