‘Disappointed’ Ljungberg says Arsenal have plenty of work to do
It was a case of same old Arsenal as Freddie Ljungberg’s first match as caretaker ended in a 2-2 draw away to struggling Norwich City.
Second-bottom Norwich twice led through Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell with Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang levelling from the penalty spot and then a crisp finish after the break. But Arsenal were indebted to German goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who pulled off a string of fine saves to deny Kenny McLean, Pukki and Emiliano Buendia.
“We started the game really well, that’s how I want to play football,” said Ljungberg, who has been placed in temporary charge following Unai Emery’s sacking last week after a run of seven games without a win.
“But we need to work on the transitions, we dominated and they break us too easily.
“In the beginning I saw a lot of things we worked on in training, but we need to score goals and take the lead.
“I want this club to do well, it is only winning that counts. I wanted to win the games so I am disappointed but I have also seen some positive things.”
Granit Xhaka returned to the Arsenal side for the first time in the Premier League since an explosive clash with the club’s fans as he was substituted against Crystal Palace last month that cost him the captaincy.
The Swiss midfielder was one of four changes from Emery’s last starting line-up in the league.
The Gunners fell behind on 21 minutes when Pukki turned David Luiz inside out before his deflected shot squeezed past Leno’s near post.
Norwich gifted Arsenal a route back into the game when captain Cristoph Zimmerman handled a free-kick inside his own box.
Aubameyang saw his first spot-kick saved by Tim Krul, but was given a second chance after a VAR review for encroaching by the Norwich players and fired home the retaken penalty.
“To be honest I was really unhappy with the quality of decisions during this period,” said a frustrated Norwich manager Daniel Farke.
Norwich regained the lead through Cantwell’s well-placed shot before Aubameyang again rescued his side when he smashed home a loose ball at the back post.
The point moved Arsenal up to eighth place on 19 points, seven points off the top four.
A superb second-half header by Matt Doherty cancelled out an early goal by Lys Mousset as Wolves came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Sheffield United, extending their unbeaten Premier League run to nine games.
The crowd at Molineux had barely taken their seats when Mousset struck after 62 seconds, taking a touch to control the ball before slamming it home to put the visitors ahead.
Despite creating a number of chances, the home team looked out of sorts until Doherty met a Raul Jimenez cross with a powerful header to put them level in the 64th minute.
Doherty celebrated the goal with an emotional tribute to the two-year-old daughter of former Wolves striker Benik Afobe who passed away on Friday, removing the black arm-band being worn in her honour and kissing it before holding it up to the sky.
Leicester City moved up to second place in the table with a 2-1 win against Everton. Kelechi Iheanacho pounced in the fourth minute of injury time after Jamie Vardy had earlier cancelled out Richarlison’s opener.