Aubameyang to the rescue as Arsenal edge Norwich in nervous victory for Mikel Arteta’s side

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored Arsenal’s first goal of the season, which was just enough for the Gunners to edge past Norwich 1-0 and ease the pressure on Mikel Arteta.

The Arsenal boss came into the game under the spotlight after starting the season with three defeats on the spin without scoring, and the tension was growing further inside the Emirates Stadium until Aubameyang struck after 66 minutes.

It was a goal that survived a VAR review as the striker had looked offside when turning in from close range after Nicolas Pepe struck a post, but the replays showed the ball had come off Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul’s leg into his path.

Somehow, Arsenal only managed the one goal despite registering 30 efforts on the Norwich goal and had to come through an edgy final few minutes to earn their first three points of the season.

Daniel Farke will have been satisfied with the way Norwich contained Arsenal’s passing, and his side nearly took a surprise lead when Kenny McLean headed wide following a Max Aaron’s cross.

A timely intervention by left-back Brandon Williams kept out a Pepe sitter for Arsenal shortly after the break as the pressure started to grow on Norwich, who handed a debut to impressive 19-year-old Andrew Omobamidele.

He and Grant Hanley were just about coping with the constant play in their direction, but on 66 minutes, Arsenal got the goal their rising shot-count deserved.

Pepe twice hit the post within a few seconds from a flowing move, and the second rebound fell kindly to Aubameyang, who was perfectly positioned to tuck the ball into an empty net.

Norwich appealed for an offside, but the last touch unfortunately for them came off Krul despite Aubameyang standing ahead of the play.

A trip to Burnley is next up for Arsenal next Saturday, while Norwich are back at Carrow Road for the visit of fellow Premier League newcomers Watford.