Norwich City are due to host Arsenal on Saturday, November 19, 2011, in match week 12, at Carrow Road.

Norwich are coming off a hard-fought 3-2 loss away at Aston Villa, in match week 11. Pilkington gave the visitors the lead on 25 minutes but Bent hit back for Villa, barely five minutes later, and the sides went into the break, with the score level at 1-1. the goal for Norwich resulted from a superb free-kick from just outside the Villa box, after Hutton brought down Holt. After a hard-fought first half, Norwich appeared to lose their way in the second, after Agbonlahor put Villa in the lead three minutes after the break. Bent pressed home the advantage with his second goal for Villa, 14 minutes later, and although Norwich got a second goal via a Morison strike with 13 minutes left in the game, there was going to be just one winner, on the day.

Arsenal routed West Brom 3-0 in a one-sided home game, at Emirates Stadium, in match week 11. Van Persie stamped his imperious presence on the match, on 22 minutes, and had a hand in both the other goals, by Vermaelen in the 40th minute and by Arteta in the 75th. The Baggies fought gamely at the start of the game but their resistance extended to only a fourth of the match, and after Van Persie’s goal, it was one way traffic at the Emirates.

Head to head, in the last 10 years, Norwich and Arsenal have met in 6 league games, with Arsenal triumphing on 3 occasions, with the remaining matches ending in stalemates. The last time these teams met was in April 2005; that match hosted by Arsenal was won 4-1 by the Gunners.

Norwich have won 3, lost 4, and drawn the remaining 3 games of their last 10 league matches, while Arsenal have won 6 and lost 4 of their last 10 6 league games. Importantly, Gunners have won four matches on the trot.

Currently in a creditable 9th place on the league table after being promoted from the Championship this season, Norwich have hosted 5 home games, this season, winning and drawing 2 each while losing the remaining one, while Arsenal, who are in 7th place have had 3 losses in their 5 away games, while winning and drawing one each.

Expect a fast-paced encounter, with Norwich relying on home advantage to try and counter the superior firepower of Van Persie and Agbonlahor.

Norwich City’s starting eleven against Aston Villa: Ruddy, Naughton, Martin, Barnett, Tierney, Bennett, Johnson, Hoolahan, Pilkington, Holt, Morison.

Arsenal’s starting eleven against West Brom: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Andre Santos, Ramsey, Song, Arteta, Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho.