Fortunately for Mertesacker, Norwich's defenders can reflect upon a meeting with Robin van Persie in which they, like just about every back four in the land, came out reeling. Arsenal's captain delivered the points with two goals to cap another silky all-round performance. His personal statistics reached another milestone as he surpassed the 30-goal mark in the Premier League during the calendar year – the fifth player to do so.
Even though Norwich were, as their manager Paul Lambert pointed out with a degree of satisfaction, still in this game until the final whistle, Arsenal maintained their run of form, and needed to recover from a goal deficit to do so.
What a shock to the system that goal was, certainly to Mertesacker. The German had been selected at centre-back, with the in-form Laurent Koscielny switched to play as an emergency right-back. But the man who was bought to add security and physical presence wobbled visibly. His attempt to shepherd a speculative up-and-under out of harm's way was interrupted by Morison's harrying. The Welshman nipped in to steer a shot past Wojciech Szczesny. Morison wheeled away. Mertesacker beat the turf in frustration. He knew he had been rumbled.
Because of the result, Arsène Wenger was able to make light of it afterwards, even though it had not been a pretty sight. "I told him, when you run to your goal with a striker, you might think that you are safe elsewhere – but not in England," said the Arsenal manager.
It was due reward for Norwich, who set about the task with hunger and ambition – none more so than Morison, who made up in rampaging effort what he lacked in dexterity. "He is playing at the top of his game and leading the line terrifically well," enthused Lambert.
Norwich were able to maintain that lead briefly. Mainly because Russell Martin was the right man on the scene to intercept three Arsenal moves. A hat-trick of clearances to deny Theo Walcott, Van Persie and Gervinho earned rich applause inside Carrow Road.
"We were never going to keep them out for 90 minutes," Lambert rued – and they were pegged back swiftly. Norwich's shaky defence was unpicked by Walcott's cross, and when the ball continued past Gervinho's attempted flick, van Persie pounced.
A harsher lesson was to come for Martin, who had excelled in the opening period. When he carelessly conceded possession just before the hour, Arsenal broke to score the match-winner. Alex Song was the provider, and Van Persie improvised to outwit John Ruddy with a deliciously delicate touch.
"We all know he is exceptional," said Wenger. "Today he finished with a chip from his right foot, and I have never seen a bigger left-footed player than Van Persie. He makes the right decision in fractions."
Wenger noted that the Dutchman is able to express himself so freely because, for once, he has not been afflicted by injury. Arsenal were also grateful to the Holland manager, Bert van Marwijk, who excused Van Persie from the second of the international friendlies last week.
"My dream is that he stays at Arsenal until the end of his career," said Wenger. "I will do the maximum I can."
Norwich rallied to switch the pressure back on to Arsenal, and Morison appealed for a penalty when his shot cannoned off Mertesacker and hit his hand. Later the substitute Holt barged into the German in the area and took a tumble, for which he was booked. Norwich did not have quite enough finesse. "We were always in the game, which was pleasing, but they are a very good side," conceded Lambert afterwards.
So Arsenal held on for a fifth straight win in the Premier League, and the biggest of the big men on the pitch sent a cheery wave to the visiting supporters as he left for the sanctuary of the dressing room.
Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 19 Nov 11
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