An ice age ago Arsenal played their last game, would I be correct in thinking we beat WBA?  And our last away fixture was  …. remind me?

Before the Interlull

Very excited to see us back playing Norwich. Lovely town, good beer and pubs, beautiful countryside. They have been doing unexpectedly well under Paul Lambert –  may their success continue after this afternoon’s drubbing (we can but hope) when Norwich go Man City in 2 weeks.

What can we expect today?  The Arsenal team appear to have returned from their travels in one piece, they have had 5 days to relax and re-focus and they must be hungry to build upon their excellent run of form. We may not be the fluent Arsenal of old and we may have problems which will be exposed by better teams but for the moment this team is developing the handy habit of winning ( last 11 games: W9 D1 L1). Norwich, who were everyone’s bet to go straight back down have done well playing expansive attacking football, 9th spot is a fantastic start for them. It should be a good game.

Stat time. Norwich have scored 38% of their goals from headers, (PL highest). In the last 3 games v Norwich AFC have scored at least 4 times. AFC have lost only one of their last 20 games v Norwich. AFC have conceded the PL’s most goals on the road  (17) and have scored in all but one of their last 15 away games. Norwich are the 3rd hardest working team in terms of yards run in the PL.

Injuries. We are down by 3 fullbacks, 2 MF’s and 2 forwards. Norwich have a full squad (BBC)

My team:

Mr Wenger has been hinting that Koscielny will start at RB, he would definitely be my choice. Chamakh is fit again and we have to find a way to get him back scoring, we know he has the talent and with just a bit of luck he could come good; I would like to see him on the hour. If Norwich persist in playing a high line Theo will fill his boots. Thinking about the first scorer? Santos is due a goal, as is Gervinho.

Fine article in The Independent by Lee Dixon talking about his arrival at THOF.

Sadly no inventors from Norwich, perhaps those windy flatlands prohibit such work but plenty of interesting notables. With today’s inditement of Tumbling John Terry, may I bring Mr. Pablo Fanque to your attention. Mr Fanque is mentioned on the Beatles song “For the benefit of Mr. Kite” and is known as the first black circus proprietor. He also sported a fine moustache

Another pioneering black man died today. Basil D’Oliveira was one of my childhood heroes. I dedicate this post to his memory.

Written by BigRaddy