Premier League Preview: norwich city v arsenal

Norwich City have suffered a series of injuries to their back four over the opening months of the season and while manager Paul Lambert hopes the likes of Zak Whitbread, Daniel Ayala and Elliott Ward are close to returns, none are likely to be thrown straight back into the side here. That means Russell Martin and Leon Barnett should continue at centre-back – that new partnership enjoyed a promising start but went on to allow six goals in the Canaries’ previous two matches. If Norwich opt for a 4-4-2, Grant Holt will continue to partner Steve Morison in attack but expect David Fox to replace the former and drop to midfield if their more common 4-2-3-1 is preferred. Arsenal could remain unchanged, with the clean sheet earned at West Bromwich Albion before the international break enough to keep Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen ahead of Per Mertesacker at centre-back. Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson are both sidelined, so Johan Djourou is likely to slot in at right-back. Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby are also long-term absentees, but Arsene Wenger hopes to be able to include Kieran Gibbs and Marouane Chamakh amongst his substitutes after injury.