Norwich City vs Arsenal

Basement boys Norwich City are set to entertain high-flying Arsenal in a high-stake Premier League affair at Carrow Road.

Since recording a 2-1 home win over Southampton on his touchline debut, new boss Dean Smith has witnessed his side go winless in their last five Premier League matches on the trot (D2, L3). A lack of firepower up top has seen Norwich City failed to get on the scoresheet in their last three Premier League games in a row, while they’ve drawn a blank in a league-high 11 outings this term. Topically, the ‘Canaries’ head into proceedings as the only Premier League team yet to smash a 10-goal barrier this season, having scored a mere eight goals after 17 top-flight fixtures to date. Tipped for a season-long fight against the drop, Norwich will at least hope to snap an unwanted Premier League record, having played more top-flight matches (7) on Boxing Day without ever winning than any other side (D1, L6).

On the other hand, Arsenal have enjoyed a noticeable upturn in form in the build-up to this trip, going from back-to-back Premier League defeats to three consecutive wins by an aggregate score of 9-1, prevailing by a 2+ goal margin on each occasion. Despite a stuttering start to the season, the ‘Gunners’ are now genuine candidates in a keenly-contested top-four race, as they hold a four-point lead over fifth-placed West Ham United. That said, before cruising to a landslide 4-1 victory at Leeds United in their most recent Premier League travel, Mikel Arteta’s men were on a three-game losing league run away from home. Gunning for their first consecutive Premier League wins of the season, Arsenal will rely on their solid Boxing Day record, having lost just two of their 23 such Premier League contests (W14, D7).