Match Report: Arsenal 3-1 Norwich

Strikes from Mikel arteta, Olivier Giruod and Lukas Podolski in the last 10 minutes of the second half were enough to move Wengers men to top 3 with Tottenham and Chelsea not in action this weekend

Arsenal dominated the game through out the first half but were unable to find the back of the net with Olivier Giruod's header hitting the crossbar and Gevinho failing to score after beating the keeper.

The headline team news was undoubtedly the return of England midfielder Jack Wilshere, who replaced the injured Tomas Roiscky in one of three changes from Arsenal’s 2-1 win at West Brom. Kieran Gibbs replaced Nacho Monreal, while skipper Thomas Vermaelen came in for the suspended Per Mertesacker.

Norwich boss Chris Hughton, meanwhile, also made three changes from his side’s 2-2 draw against Swansea as Steven Whittaker replaced Javier Garrido, Alexander Tettey came in for Elliot Bennett and skipper Grant Holt returned in place of Wes Hoolahan.

The second half started in the same fashion with Arsenal dominating position but can't find an opener.

At 56' Minute Norwich breaks the deadlock when Tuner Headed Home a Robert Snodgrass free kick.

Wenger responded immediately by bringing in Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott  for Jack Wilshere and Gervinho respectively.

After 64 minutes, the England winger almost made an impact as he surged into the box only to be brought down by Whittaker. Once again, though, referee Mike Jones dismissed any penalty appeals as the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium grew more and more tense.

Fifteen minutes later, it was Walcott’s fellow substitute who came close as Podolski smashed a sweet strike towards goal that needed a superb Bunn save to send it crashing against the crossbar.

But Arsenal would finally get their equaliser with just five minutes left – though it came in the most controversial of circumstances.

Giroud was felled in the box and the assistant referee signalled for a spot-kick as Kei Kamara was penalised for a foul. The decision was dubious but Arteta’s penalty was not, with the Spaniard converting to level the scores.

And the Gunners were not done there as a surging run and cross into the box from substitute Oxlade-Chamberlain late on ended with a timely tap-in from Giroud, though the last touch may have come off Sebastien Bassong.

Shortly after, Podolski smashed home from the edge of the area and Arsenal's remarkable comeback was complete.

Wenger - Let's show that we've improved

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has urged his side to how much they have improved on Sunday when the take on Norwich City at the Emirates

The Canaries will be hoping for a repeat of what happened in October Last year when they beat the Gunners  at Carrow Road. But Arsenal Boss Wenger is calling on his players to show them how much they have improved and avoid another disappointment . 

Speaking to Arsenal player He said: "It [the defeat] was on the back of an international game and Norwich defended very well,"

"They played well on the break and after that, they had a very strong spell of 10 games where they did not lose.

"We know that they are a good side and we know that they are a dangerous side. We believe that today we are stronger than we were at that moment of the season and that's what we want to show on Saturday.

"We have a good experience recently of how well we have bounced back when everybody is focused. We have assembled very strong results. The spirit is there, the focus is there and the desire is there. We have very good ingredients and let's just bring that to the table on Saturday."