Alex Manninger has told talkSPORT that Norwich City on Saturday will be a must-win game for Mikel Arteta if the Spaniard is to show he is the man to turn Arsenal’s fortunes around.
The Gunners have lost their opening three Premier League games and are yet to score any goals. It is their worst start to a season since 1954/55, and are the second club in Premier League history to open a term with three losses and hold a minus-nine goal difference.
Arsenal will also be without Granit Xhaka against Norwich after Martin Atkinson sent him off during the 5-0 humbling at Manchester City. While the Etihad Stadium defeat was the first in a five-game run in which The Telegraph report Arteta must impress to keep his job.
Norwich offer Arteta a great chance to kickstart Arsenal’s season, but Manninger feels the match is also a must-win. The Spaniard and his coaching team have had time to assess the situation and make changes during the international break.
“Yes, I would say so, because there was time,” Manninger said. “A lot of players were away on international duty, but there was time for the manager, there was time for the staff to get the character right. You should beat Norwich if you want to make a step forward.”
The ex-Arsenal ‘keeper added: “They need to become a team and a hard side to beat again. I can’t see that at the moment, and I hope, fingers crossed, that after the international break they start with a win against Norwich and prove many of us wrong, because you need character these days and this is what [they] miss at Arsenal at the moment.”
Can Arteta guide Arsenal to first win against Norwich, like Manninger hopes?
Like Arsenal, Norwich have started the season poorly, to offer Arteta – and potentially Manninger – hope of kickstarting their 2021/22 term. The Canaries have also begun the campaign with three losses – with Wolves – and hold a minus-nine goal difference, too.
Norwich have even conceded more goals, just, with 10 shipped since returning to the top-flight as Championship title-holders. Yet have scored, with Teemu Pukki converting from the spot against Leicester City to momentarily pull Daniel Farke’s side level.
Additionally, sitting in the relegation zone will be a real test of Arsenal’s character, which Manninger feels Arteta is missing. The players will prove themselves one way or another against Norwich, and Arteta will have to hope they react positively.
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