Good afternoon. Given the events and emotion of international week it feels a long time since the last round of Premier League fixtures. Will that take the edge of Van Persie? Will it affect Norwich’s momentum?

Today’s teams:

Norwich: Ruddy, Naughton, Russell Martin, Barnett, Tierney, Crofts, Johnson, Fox, Pilkington, Hoolahan, Morison

Arsenal: Szczesny, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Andre Santos, Ramsey, Arteta, Song, Walcott, van Persie, Gervinho

The relatively big news before the game is that Arsene Wenger has said “we’ll see” about his future at the end of the season in an interview with L’Equipe. Many in the English media seem to think that means he may leave in May. But, judging from Wenger’s less-reported next few lines, it’s apparent that’s in relation to whether he’ll consider an extension to his contract… which goes on for a further two years. So he’ll be here until 2014 probably.

Does anything suck the anticipation out of a match like cutting to an ad break just before kick-off?

And we’re off!

Just 44 seconds for Van Persie’s first shot but it wasn’t as emphatic as in recent weeks. Walcott cuts it back from the right but it comes towards vanPersie’s right and, side on to goal, he snatches at it and it rolls wide.

I’ve just made you my captain again, Robin. Don’t lose that Fantasy Football form.

From an Irish point of view, one notable aspect of today is that Wes Hoolahan is captaining Norwich. If he keeps up this form, Trapattoni is surely going to have to at least consider him for Euro 2012?

Wide again from Van Persie. Beautiful touch to take him inside but drags his effort wide.

How did that not go in?! From about 10 yards out, Walcott shapes, shoots and beats keeper… but not Martin who improbably deflects it off the line and over the bar!

Arsenal have controlled this game easily enough and, even though they haven’t been rampant, feels only a matter of time until the opener.

GOAL! Norwich 1-0 Arsenal

So much for it only being a matter of time for Arsenal! Oh Mertesacker… the German defender buckles under pressure from Steve Morison after a long ball, allowing the striker to nip ahead of him and roll the ball home.

And almost an instant equaliser from Arsenal as Van Persie is presented with the ball a little wide of goal but he scuffs it well wide. Not his day so far… but Norwich can’t keep allowing him such opportunities.

Russell Martin clears it off the line again. This time not as dramatically as Van Persie’s floated ball back across goal proves easy to power away.

Russell Martin with a hat-trick of clearances. But Gervinho really should have done better there. He was put through in a similar position to Henry in his pomp… bearing down on goal from the left, only keeper to beat. But whereas Henry used to effortlessly roll it into the corner, Gervinho awkwardly hits it under keeper, allowing Martin to clear.

GOAL! Norwich 1-1 Arsenal

Walcott’s ball across is stepped over by Gervinho, allowing Van Persie – of course – to finish effortlessly. No mistake that time.

Norwich have come back into the game again, winning a fair few abrasive challenges to both regain momentum and confirm a few cliches about Arsenal.

Hoolahan playing well so far, both contributing to Norwich’s attack and stopping Song advancing.

Half-time: Norwich 1-1 Arsenal

You get the feeling Arsenal will be very frustrated not to be out of sight – with VanPersie missing three chances – but, in saying that, Norwich have been good value for their 1-1 draw so far.

For those Wenger quotes in L’Equipe: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/wenger-this-could-be-my-last-season-at-arsenal-283406-Nov2011/

Lambert clearly not happy to accept a draw here as he brings on the pacey Elliott Bennett for the much more defensive Fox.

And the second half is underway.

Should be 2-1 Arsenal! Vermaelen surges down left and finds an unmarked Gervinho, but he heads tamely at Ruddy.

Pilkington with another rasping free-kick like that with which he scored against Villa. But Sczcesney is equal to it.

And Gervinho with another wasted chance. Van Persie sent him one-on-one with a divine jink and through-ball but, having rounded the keeper, the Ivorian makes a poor contact to send it straight at Ruddy. That is a waste.

GOAL! Norwich 1-2 Arsenal

What a strike from Van Persie. That was absolutely sumptuous. Arsenal win ball in the middle and break quickly with Song hitting a slide-rule ball to Van Persie. But, even though the Dutchman is at a slightly tight angle, he dinks the ball over Ruddy supremely to see it nestle delightfully into the net.

Van Persie could be on for second successive away hat-trick.

Arsenal comfortably in control now, stroking the ball about… but still not as smooth as Wenger would like.

Hoolahan going off for Grant Holt.

Vermaelen again shows his ultimate worth to this Arsenal team by powering away a very dangerously-flighted free-kick with his head. Goes without saying that we’ve seen them struggle with such balls without him.

Arsenal on the backfoot at the minute. But you can sense the panic any time the ball gets back within 20 feet of Van Persie.

Benayoun coming on for Gervinho who, other than his impressive movement, has had a nightmare.

Arsenal just knocking the ball about now, taking the sting out of Norwich – who can’t get a kick.

Hint of a penalty there as Holt goes down under the bumbling Mertesacker. But looked too like the Norwich man was playing for it.

Full-time: Norwich 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal smother Norwich late on to win their sixth game out of the last seven and continue a surge up the table. But, in truth, that victory is almost all down to the superb Robin van Persie again. Only emphasising his form, his and Arsenal’s second goal was an absolutely sumptuous chip that is the perfect way to win any game.

Arsenal now up to sixth and level on points with Chelsea and Tottenham, although both have games in hand.