Football
Liam Wheeler 4y

Arsenal's Aubameyang 8/10 for rescuing draw on Ljungberg's debut as coach

Freddie Ljungberg's first game as Arsenal interim head coach ended in a frustrating 2-2 draw against Norwich at Carrow Road as the Gunners' winless run continued.

Teemu Pukki's deflected strike put the hosts in front, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang kept his nerve to equalise from the penalty spot at the second attempt after seeing his first effort saved and then ruled out for encroachment.

Todd Cantwell's cool effort put Norwich back in front right on half-time, but Aubameyang struck again from Mesut Ozil's corner to make it 2-2 and ensure Arsenal would at least not lose.

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Positives

The visitors started brightly and dominated Norwich in the early stages as they played with more confidence and fluidity. Mesut Ozil looked bright in midfield, while Ljungberg will have been pleased with his side's character as he watched them twice come from behind courtesy of clinical strikes from Aubameyang.

Negatives

The Gunners' saw their winless run extend to six Premier League games -- and five away from home -- courtesy of even more dismal defending. It was all too easy for Pukki to get his shot away for the opener, with the unmarked Cantwell left in an abundance of space to fire the Canaries back in front.

Manager rating out of 10

Freddie Ljungberg, 6 -- An inspired-looking Gunners started well but it was clear that their defensive frailties weren't helped by Mustafi's return. To his credit, Ljungberg's introduction of Bukayo Saka almost swung the game in Arsenal's favour, while Lucas Torreira made some vital defensive contributions.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Bernd Leno, 7 -- Kept his side level with a phenomenal fingertip save at full stretch to deny Kenny McClean from close-range, before thwarting Pukki with his feet moments later. The Germany international was relieved to see Cantwell's effort flash past the post at 2-2 after being caught caught flat-footed, but he earned his side a point with a stunning stoppage-time save.

DF Calum Chambers, 6 -- Drifted into space at the front post and drew a fingertip save from Tim Krul with a glancing header from an excellent Ozil corner. Fortunate not to pick up a second yellow card for checking Pukki having being booked minutes earlier for cynically bringing down Onel Hernandez.

DF Shkodran Mustafi, 4 -- A surprise inclusion in Ljungberg's XI, the 27-year-old saw a first-half header cleared off the line by Hernandez, but was guilty of half-turning away from Pukki's strike, which cruelly cannoned off the defender beyond Leno. Also caught marking shadows as Cantwell's placed effort made it 2-1.

DF David Luiz, 5 -- The experienced centre-half failed to close the ball down and gave Pukki far too much room to fire his shot off at goal to give the Canaries the lead, although to his credit he just about managed to see off Cantwell when the Norwich man seemed certain to end a hustling run with his second of the game.

DF Sead Kolasinac, 6 -- Pressed high and showed good feet as he looked to provide further ammunition and get crosses into the box for Aubameyang and Lacazette to feed off, but was caught out of position as Norwich countered with Joe Willock forced to come to the rescue. He struggled to cope with the energy of Pukki at times, but produced a steady performance.

MF Matteo Guendouzi, 7 -- The youngster produced another bright display and almost crafted a second Gunners goal with Norwich still reeling, but his darting run into the box came to nothing. On the receiving end of a couple of nasty challenges from Cantwell and McClean as the hosts struggled to contain the talented midfielder.

MF Granit Xhaka, 6 -- Made his first start since that eventful October appearance against Crystal Palace and played with confidence but squandered a superb chance to punish Norwich for some sloppy passing when he could play the ball behind Lacazette with the striker wanting the ball threading into his path.

MF Joe Willock, 6 -- Saw his early effort blocked inside the area when more composure was required, bailed out Sead Kolasinac with a vital interception to snuff out Hernandez's pass towards the unmarked Cantwell. Quiet in the second half and replaced by Torreira in the 71st minute.

MF Mesut Ozil 7, -- Moved the ball quickly and accurately as Arsenal took control in midfield and forced their opponents to play on the counter. Produced some faultless set-piece deliveries and forced the spot kick that saw the Gunner level the scores. Caused more mayhem in the box with another super corner that led to Aubameyang crashing the visitors level.

FW Alexandre Lacazette, 7 -- Saw plenty of the ball in the opening minutes as Arsenal started brightly. The striker gave a decent account of himself and should have scored, but he could only steer his goal-bound effort into the ground on the turn, allowing Krul to palm the ball away.

FW Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 8 -- Dragged Sam Byram all over the pitch in the early stages and twice fired his side level with on his way to his 10th Premier League goal of the season. Kept his composure to score the equaliser from the spot at the second time of asking, before lashing a thumping effort into the top corner to make it 2-2.

Substitutes

MF Lucas Torreira, 7 -- Replaced Joe Willock in the 70th minute. Ran his socks off and made a couple of vital interceptions as Norwich hunted a dramatic late winner.

FW Bukayo Saka, NR -- Replaced Guendouzi in the 78th minute and was almost the architect of a third Arsenal goal with his first involvement in the game when his fizzed cross looked like it might creep in at the back post. An impressive shift off the bench from the winger.

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