Premier League: Norwich 1 Arsenal 2

A Robin Van Persie brace steered Arsenal to their fifth straight win at Carrow Road on Saturday.

Van Persie scored in each half to make it 31 goals in 2011 after Norwich striker Steve Morison had given Norwich the lead after 17 minutes.

Arsenal’s visit to Carrow Road was the first of any of the supposed ‘top four’ since Norwich were last in the Premier League, six years ago.

A sun-drenched Carrow Road saw the visitors make a lively start to the game, with the pace of Theo Walcott and Gervinho in the wide areas causing the Canaries problems.

The in-form Robin Van Persie was also looking menacing in the early stages, dragging his 20-yard effort just wide of keeper John Ruddy’s far post.

With just 10 minutes gone the visitors were left wondering how they had not taken the lead.

Following persistent play from Gervinho, Walcott received the ball 15 yards from goal.

The winger cut inside onto his left foot, before curling a brilliant effort into the far corner, only for Russell Martin to defy the England man with a superb hooked clearance.

Arsenal were left to rue their missed chances as Norwich took the lead just minutes later.

Summer signing Per Mertesacker was hassled by Morison on the edge of the Arsenal area, and the forward’s pressure paid off as the German centre-back crumbled, leaving Morison one on one with Szczesny, before coolly slotting home.

The goal did not deter the visitors, as they continued in the same attacking fashion. Next it was Gervinho who was thwarted, as his low effort was blocked by Ruddy.

The equaliser came in the 27th minute through Walcott who drove to the by-line before pulling the ball back for Van Persie, who was left with the simple task of restoring parity. The goal was the Dutchman’s 14th in his last 17 games.

Just before the hour, Arsene Wenger’s men really should have taken lead for the first time.

Van Persie showed some brilliant footwork, before threading the ball through for Gervinho.

The Ivorian sidestepped the onrushing Ruddy, and with the hard work done and an empty net gaping, he contrived to fire the ball at the diving Norwich keeper.

After seeing his team-mates squander multiple chances, Van Persie took matters into his own hands.

Martin was caught in possession by Aaron Ramsey. The ball fell for Alex Song, who slid Van Persie through, and the Dutchman did the rest, superbly chipping the ball over Ruddy with his supposed weaker right foot.

The win leaves Norwich in ninth, while Arsenal move up a place to fifth, level on points with London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham.