Aubameyang clinical as Arsenal punish lowly Norwich 4-0

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brought up his 50th and 51st league goals for Arsenal as they comfortably swept aside Norwich 4-0 at The Emirates.

Arsenal started the quicker of the two, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang curling an early sighter Tim Krul’s way.

It was Norwich who came closest to breaking the deadlock prior to the first half drinks break, however, and the chance came from an unlikely source.

Centre-half Ben Godfrey picked the ball up inside Arsenal’s half, and unleashed a fierce drive from fully 30 yards out that crashed against the post.

The hosts continued to press forward, however, and just after the half hour mark, found the game’s opening goal.

Tim Krul dawdled on the ball, with his eventual tardy clearance delfecting off the onrushing Aubameyang. The Ball fell kindly to the Gabon international, who calmly stroked it home to make it 1-0.

The lead was soon doubled, with Aubameyang again playing a starring role. The hitmanreceived the ball down the left flank and expertly prodded through to Granit Xhaka. Making a rare foray into the box, the Swiss star fired low and hard first time past the despairing Krul.

See how all the action unfolded from The Emirates stadium via our score centre here.

Kenny McLean stung Emiliano Martinez’s gloves from a free-kick just prior to the break, but the goalkeeper made an acrobatic diving stop to ensure his side went in two goals to the good at half-time.

A triple Norwich substitution at the break brought about little change for the Canaries.

Joe Willock spurned a chance to extend the lead to three after the hour mark, but teammate Aubameyang would not make the same mistake moments later.

A slack square pass from Norwich deep in their own half found Aubameyang unmarked, and the clinical striker did what he does best to notch his second of the game and Arsenal’s third.

Cedric Soares added to the procession late on, notching his first goal for the club on his debut after his deflected long-range shot flew past the stricken Krul.

FULL REPORT TO FOLLOW…