Report as Arsenal hit five in a thumping win at Norwich; On Mikel Arteta's two-year anniversary in charge, Bukayo Saka scored twice and goals from Kieran Tierney, Alexandre Lacazette and Emile Smith Rowe secured fourth straight league win; Arsenal stay fourth, six points ahead of Spurs
Sunday 26 December 2021 23:51, UK
Arsenal made it four straight wins in the Premier League as Mikel Arteta celebrated his two-year anniversary as Gunners boss with a thumping 5-0 Boxing Day win at Norwich.
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the perfect start, stroking the ball past Angus Gunn to give the Gunners a sixth-minute lead.
Kieran Tierney extended their lead just before the break (44) with a composed finish, before Saka, who gave Norwich a torrid afternoon, rounded off his impressive display with a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area (67).
Alexandre Lacazette, who continued as captain in the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, scored from the penalty spot (84) after being fouled by Ozan Kabak, before substitute Emile Smith Rowe just about stayed onside to add the finishing touch (90+1) to another super display from Arsenal.
Victory sees the Gunners secure a fifth straight win in all competitions for the first since 2018 under Unai Emery. Arteta, who took charge of Arsenal on Boxing Day in 2019, sees his side stay fourth, and despite having played more games than the sides around them, the win sees them open up a six-point gap to fifth-placed Spurs.
Meanwhile, Norwich stay bottom of the table on goal difference after a fourth straight defeat.
Ahead of kick-off, Norwich boss Dean Smith reiterated his unhappiness about having his side play two games in 48 hours with the difficulties of Covid, and his mood would have not improved when Arsenal took a sixth-minute lead.
Ozan Kabak's slack pass was picked off by Tierney before Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli combined before the Brazilian picked out Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian had time and space to slide the ball into the path of Saka, who shifted it onto his left foot before striking a low effort past Gunn and into the bottom corner.
The game threatened to get away from the hosts as Arsenal attacked with menace, but the visitors missed chances, Lacazette planting a header wide, while Gunn had to be alert to keep out Martinelli's long-range effort.
Norwich did grow into the game and Smith's side go their press going, making life difficult for Arsenal as they looked to pass out from the back. However, Norwich still failed to create any chance of note and were second best for much of the half.
Some battling challenges towards the end of the half did get the home fans behind them - only to be silenced by a second goal, Odegaard again providing the assist for Tierney to finish low past Gunn.
There never looked like being an inspired second-half comeback for Norwich as the pattern of the first half continued early in the second.
Saka's second goal in the 67th minute was a fine finish as the England winger cut inside Brandon Williams before striking from the edge of the box to wrap up the win.
Arteta, whose side host Wolves in less than 48 hours, looked to his bench to freshen things up with the game secure, but it did not stop a late flurry from the visitors.
Lacazette was played in by Smith Rowe before being bundled over in the box by Kabak six minutes from time and the Frenchman picked himself up to tuck away the resulting penalty before Smith Rowe got the better of a tight offside call to score off the bench for the second league outing in succession.
Norwich boss Dean Smith: "I have used a tennis terminology in the dressing room to describe our performance - it was littered with unforced errors. We gave two soft fouls away for two soft goals at the end. We cannot drop our standards from two games ago against Manchester United to today's showing.
"We got beat 3-0 at Spurs and 1-0 against Manchester United and I accept that because we played well in those games. We're not making the most of the big chances. I can stand here like every other manager and say we have had illnesses and injuries. But we have to be better than we were today.
"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."
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta: "It's a very satisfying result because in this festive period we have to keep performances to a high level.
"We looked really sharp and committed. It's a big win for us. I am really pleased. The number of chances we create is pleasing.
"We go to every ground to try and impose our game. Today was a really good example. The unity we have around the club and with our fans is very pleasing."
So often Arsenal's bright spark this season, the England international delivered again.
We know all about Saka's pace and trickery when operating from the right flank, but he has been challenged to get more goals by Arteta, and he delivered at Carrow Road.
He produced two fine finishes to cap another really impressive display.
Arsenal face Wolves on Tuesday in the Premier League; kick-off 12.30pm.
Meanwhile, Norwich face a trip to Crystal Palace, also on Tuesday; kick-off 3pm.
