Bukayo Saka scored twice as Arsenal recorded a hefty 5-0 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road to secure their fourth consecutive Premier League victory.
Saka’s early opener was followed up with a goal from Kieran Tierney just before the break as the Gunners dominated from the start.
Arsenal sealed the win in the second half as Saka notched his second goal of the game, before Alexandre Lacazette netted a late penalty and substitute Emile Smith Rowe added gloss in stoppage time.
The resounding victory saw Mikel Arteta’s side close the gap on third-placed Chelsea, who play later on Saturday against Aston Villa, to three points.
Arsenal opened the scoring in just the sixth minute after Martin Odegaard worked the ball to Saka on the right side of the box, where the 20-year-old cut onto his left foot and steered a low finish into the bottom-left corner.
The Gunners doubled their advantage shortly before the break, with Odegaard getting his second assist of the game after playing a splitting ball to Tierney on the left which the left-back drilled in off the base of the right post.
Saka was on the scoresheet for a second time in the 67th minute, beating Brandon Williams with ease outside the area and lashing low past Angus Gunn’s despairing dive to make it 3-0.
Lacazette added a fourth in the 84th minute from the spot after he had been fouled in the area by Ozan Kabak, before Smith Rowe rounded off the scoring in stoppage time with a simple finish after Nicolas Pepe’s shot had been deflected into his path.
What does it mean? Gunners’ winning run continues
Arsenal are closing out the year in fine form, with their 5-0 win at Carrow Road their fourth consecutive league success and their fifth in a row in all competitions.
The Gunners have won those five matches by an aggregate scoreline of 19-2, scoring four or more times in each of their last three outings across all tournaments.
Starboy Saka hits 10 Premier League goals
Saka’s opener was his 10th Premier League goal for the club, making him the second-youngest player to do so for Arsenal at 20 years and 112 days old, after Nicolas Anelka (19 years, 225 days).
The winger has already matched his tally of five league goals from the entirety of last season.
Super-sub Smith Rowe
Smith Rowe’s stoppage-time goal makes the 21-year-old just the second Arsenal player to score in three consecutive substitute appearances in the Premier League, after Tomas Rosicky in September 2009.
Key Opta Facts
– Arsenal have scored more goals in their last two Premier League away games (nine) than they managed in their first eight on the road this season (six), while this is the first time the Gunners have netted 4+ goals in consecutive away games in the competition since April 2009.
– Norwich extended their record of most Premier League games on Boxing Day without ever winning, with the Canaries losing seven of their eight such games in the competition (D1).
– This was Arsenal’s joint biggest margin of victory away from home in a Premier League match, level with 6-1 victories at Middlesbrough in April 1999 and Everton in August 2009.
– Odegaard has been involved in six goals in his last six Premier League games (three goals, three assists), two more than he had in his first 25 appearances in the competition (two goals, two assists).
– No side has scored more Premier League goals via substitutes than Arsenal this season (five), while Smith Rowe is the player with the most goals off the bench in the competition this term (three).
What’s next?
Norwich travel to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Tuesday, while Arsenal host Wolves on the same day.
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