- Bukayo Saka (6', 67')
- Kieran Tierney (44')
- Alexandre Lacazette (84' Pen)
- Emile Smith Rowe (90'+1')
Bukayo Saka nets brace as Arsenal ease past Norwich in 5-0 win
Bukayo Saka netted a brace as Arsenal continued their bid for Champions League qualification in a comfortable 5-0 victory away at Norwich City on Sunday.
Saka opened the scoring early on before defender Kieran Tierney doubled Arsenal's lead just before half-time. Saka added a third just after the hour-mark, and Norwich's hopes were put to bed as striker Alexandre Lacazette scored a penalty in the final 10 minutes. Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe then helped turn the result into a thrashing as he scored Arsenal's fifth just before full-time.
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access
Sunday's result moves Arsenal to 35 points after 19 games as manager Mikel Arteta's side earned their four-consecutive league win, aiding their bid to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2017.
"It's a very satisfying result because in this festive period we have to keep performances to a high level," Arteta said. "We looked really sharp and committed.
"It's a big win for us. The amount of chances we create is pleasing. We go to every ground to try and impose our game. Today was a really good example."
Saka gave his side an early lead with a well-worked team goal. The 20-year-old collected the ball on the right-hand side following a nice move from the visitors before cutting inside and firing past Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
Tensions threatened to boil over just before half-time, with two separate clashes between the two sides -- the first came after Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka was booked for a tackle on opposing striker Josh Sargent; the second came in the next phase of play after Arsenal defender Ben White made a tackle on Norwich's Brandon Williams.
Arsenal doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when midfielder Martin Odegaard found Tierney with a through ball, who slotted home.
Arteta's side continued to dominate in the second half, and Saka took advantage once again, adding a third on 67 minutes with a powerful strike from the edge of the 18-yard-box.
Lacazette won a penalty on 83 minutes when he was brought down by Norwich defender Ozan Kabak, which he powerfully tucked away. Smith Rowe capped a successful Sunday for Arsenal as he came off the bench and netted from close range.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.
Game Information
English Premier League Standings
Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arsenal | 36 | 26 | 5 | 5 | +60 | 83 |
Manchester City | 35 | 25 | 7 | 3 | +54 | 82 |
Liverpool | 36 | 23 | 9 | 4 | +43 | 78 |
Aston Villa | 36 | 20 | 7 | 9 | +20 | 67 |
Tottenham Hotspur | 35 | 18 | 6 | 11 | +11 | 60 |
Newcastle United | 35 | 17 | 5 | 13 | +22 | 56 |
Chelsea | 35 | 15 | 9 | 11 | +11 | 54 |
Manchester United | 35 | 16 | 6 | 13 | -3 | 54 |
West Ham United | 36 | 13 | 10 | 13 | -14 | 49 |
AFC Bournemouth | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | -11 | 48 |
Brighton & Hove Albion | 35 | 12 | 11 | 12 | -4 | 47 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 36 | 13 | 7 | 16 | -11 | 46 |
Fulham | 36 | 12 | 8 | 16 | -4 | 44 |
Crystal Palace | 36 | 11 | 10 | 15 | -8 | 43 |
Everton | 36 | 12 | 9 | 15 | -11 | 37 |
Brentford | 36 | 9 | 9 | 18 | -8 | 36 |
Nottingham Forest | 36 | 8 | 9 | 19 | -18 | 29 |
Luton Town | 36 | 6 | 8 | 22 | -29 | 26 |
Burnley | 36 | 5 | 9 | 22 | -35 | 24 |
Sheffield United | 36 | 3 | 7 | 26 | -65 | 16 |