Arsenal come from behind as Van Persie grabs a brace

Arsenal had to come from behind against a brave Norwich side to win 2-1 on Saturday at Carrow Road, thanks to goals from Van Persie as he continued his fine run of form. Van Persie's two goals meant he has scored 31 goals this calendar year. The international break clearly hadn't upset the Gunners rhythm as Arsenal picked up their fifth successive win in the league, and Arsene Wenger's 200th away win in charge of his side. Arsenal made two changes from the side that played West Brom two weeks ago as Mertesacker came in at centre back and Koscielny played at right back due to the injuries of Sagna and Jenkinson. Marouane Chamakh and Coquelin were both on the bench.

Van Persie continued his terrific form to seal the points for Arsenal

The first chance of the match came early on and it fell to Arsenal. Walcott was set free down the right hand side before playing the ball into Van Persie who with his weaker foot slid his shot wide.

Arsenal's next chance came down the left hand side as Santos got forward from defence and played in Van Persie who fired his shot just wide of the goal.

Walcott then must have thought he had scored as he cut inside onto his left foot before hitting a shot which was somehow cleared off the line by Martin.

Norwich with their first chance of the match took the lead. A long ball was lofted over the defence which looked to be an easy ball for Mertesacker to deal with, however he failed to clear his lines and Morison outmuscled him and put the ball past Szczesny for 1-0.

Gervinho then had a great chance to score as Van Persie played him clean through on goal but the Ivorian saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper and then cleared off the line once more by Martin.

Arsenal then managed to equalise. Walcott beat his man with pace before firing in a low cross which found Van Persie who tapped the ball into the goal from close range to level the game up.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first chance of the second half came to Arsenal. Vermaelen surged forward from centre back to pick out Gervinho inside the area but he could only manage to direct his header straight into the hands of Ruddy in the Norwich goal.

The Gunners' next chance was created by Walcott. A long ball was put over the top and into the path of the England winger who put in a cross to the near post where Ramsey was. However he could only glide his shot wide and into the side netting.

Gervinho then again had a great chance to give Arsenal the lead and should have scored but like in the first half saw his shot saved. Van Persie slipped the ball into Gervinho who rounded the goalkeeper but Ruddy managed to get back and block the effort on goal.

An hour into the game Arsenal finally managed to take the lead. Song won the ball back in midfield before playing the ball to Van Persie who got into the penalty box and chipped the ball over Ruddy for his second of the game.

Norwich hadn't created many chances but had still managed to keep the Gunners at bay and finally managed to create a chance. Bennett crossed the ball in towards Pilkington who got ahead of his marker but stabbed his effort wide.

Walcott then had a decent chance late on to seal the game for Arsenal as he drove a shot from a tight angle which struck the post and went out for a goal kick.

The final score finished Norwich 1-2 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Norwich: Ruddy, Martin, Barnett, Tierney, Naughton, Crofts, Johnson, Hoolahan(69), Fox(46), Pilkington(82), Morison.
Subs: Rudd, Drury, Surman, Bennett(46), Holt(69), Jackson(82), Wilbraham.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott(90), Gervinho(77), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou(90), Coquelin, Benayoun(77), Rosicky, Arshavin, Chamakh.

My man of the match: Theo Walcott

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 26,801