Norwich City vs Arsenal: 3 Memorable Meetings

Sunday sees Norwich City attempt to bounce back from last weekends Diego Costa inflicted 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge as Arsenal make the trip to Carrow Road in Sky Sports’ late afternoon kick-off. City have had relative success in numerous matches against Arsenal in recent years and I take a look at the most memorable…

Norwich City 1 - 0 Arsenal - 20th October 2012

After taking over the reigns at Carrow Road following Paul Lambert’s exit to Aston Villa, Chris Hughton had a tough start to his City career. Seven games in, Norwich were winless, languishing in 19th position having attained just two points. Even at this early stage, pressure was beginning to build. That was, of course, until Arsenal came to town. The visit of Arsene Wenger’s troops resulted in a 1-0 victory and triggered the beginning of a memorable 10 game unbeaten run. On the back of consecutive 5-2 and 4-1 defeats, the idea that City would be able to keep a clean sheet against the attacking talents of the Gunners was unthinkable but keep a clean sheet we did as Hughton’s side put in one of the best performances of his reign. As seemed to be the case throughout his time in yellow and green, Grant Holt was the bearer of the decisive goal in the 19th minute as Alex Tettey’s long range strike could only be parried into the path of the former by Vito Mannone. The anticipated onslaught and desperate clinging on for the three points never truly materialised, as Norwich showed a level of organisation and determination which went on to characterise their success under Hughton that year. In actual fact, the victory could have been more comfortable as Holt in particular spurned one glaring opportunity as City caught Arsenal on the break, leaving the Cumbrian born striker one-on-one. Despite the miss, Norwich held on fairly comfortably and earned their first three points of the season - following the victory we were not to taste defeat for another two months.

A similar result and subsequent up-turn in form wouldn’t go amiss this Sunday…

Arsenal 3 - 3 Norwich City - 5th May 2012

With survival and a second season back in the top flight confirmed, Paul Lambert’s Norwich headed to North London with the pressure off. The Gunners on the other hand had gone three games without a win and their place in the top four was increasingly under threat, so the visit of City represented a must win. The contrasting levels of pressure the two sides were under was evident on the pitch, as despite Yossi Benayoun giving Arsenal a first minute lead, City put in one of their most impressive displays of the season. Following the early set-back, Norwich played with a level of arrogance and confidence unbefitting of a side visiting the Emirates for the first time, and by the half-hour mark goals from Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan had snatched the lead into City’s hands. As it began to look like Norwich could hold out for the 2-1 victory, man of the moment Robin van Persie scored his 36th and 37th goals of the season to turn the game on its head once more. With just 10 minutes left on the clock and momentum with Wenger’s side, few thought that City could stage another come back.

But one thing that was quickly learned about Paul Lambert’s Norwich City was that you never, ever write them off. And that proved to be the case once more as the much-maligned Steve Morison volleyed home an 85th minute equaliser to make it 3-3. To this day that goal remains one of my favourite and most celebrated away goals, I vividly remember turning around and replicating Morison’s “Shhh” celebration to a fan who had been slating the guy incessantly just moments before.

A great final away day to cap off a brilliant season.

Arsenal 2 - 4 Norwich City - 15th August 1992

Following a relatively close escape from relegation in the 1991/92 season, Norwich finishing in 16th place and just 3 points off relegated Luton Town, an opening day trip to the home of one of the title favourites Arsenal appeared to be a daunting proposition. Such fear didn’t appear to be misplaced when the Gunners flew into a 2-0 half-time lead, as goals from Steve Bould and Kevin Campbell looked to put the game beyond City’s reach.

Mid-way through the second half Mike Walker brought on new summer signing Mark Robins and what came next proved to be one of the most famous comebacks in Norwich City history. With one of his first touches of the ball in a yellow shirt, the ex-United man gave City a lifeline with a bullet header from David Phillips’ set piece. Just minutes later, Phillips had turned from provider to scorer as he capitalised upon a David Seaman mistake to level the scoring with a calm volley. Walker’s men did not stop there, however, as it was then Ruel Fox’s turn to get in on the act as he powerfully slotted home under the on rushing Seaman following an inch perfect Jeremy Goss pass. 6 minutes from time Robins sealed the victory with a sublime 25-yard chip over the once more helpless Seaman in the Arsenal goal. The strike marked the end of a scintillating 16-minute turn around and represented what was to come from Norwich that season, as they went on to finish in what is, to this day, our highest ever league position - 3rd.