By CHARLIE WYETT
FOR Arsene Wenger, this was his first blip of the season.
Sadly, though, it appears any hopes Arsenal have of challenging for the title are already disappearing.
A first-half strike from Grant Holt not only gave Norwich their first win under Chris Hughton, but prevented Wenger’s side from the win which would have seen them move into the top four.
Now, though, with just eight games played, Arsenal are already 10 points behind Chelsea.
Wenger cannot afford his team to deliver too many performances like this.
And goalkeeper Vito Mannone, only playing because of injuries to Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski, cannot make many more mistakes like the one which led to the winner.
The Gunners chief admitted: “Norwich defended very well. They were focused and committed.
“We had a lot of the ball and we did not produce a lot. It was a disappointing performance.
“I felt we lacked sharpness. We missed what makes success at the top level and that’s complete focus.
“I do not blame the keeper. We made many mistakes.”
Wenger added: “The attitude was efficient but this performance was not at the level we want. We were below the par — very below.”
In contrast Norwich, awful for parts of this season, were excellent. Particularly the central midfield pairing of Alex Tettey and Bradley Johnson who battled and bullied their opponents.
Norwegian international Tettey, a summer arrival from Rennes in France, was playing only his fourth game in English football but was a rock and the Arsenal midfield seemed petrified of him.
Indeed the Gunners were incredibly ordinary, managing just one decent shot on target.
Admittedly, they were missing Theo Walcott, both keepers, Laurent Koscielny, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky, Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna.
But there is a belief this is Arsenal’s strongest squad for five years yet this performance was uninspiring and ultimately, pretty weak.
And you cannot help but think that former striker Robin van Persie — on target again yesterday at Manchester United — would have grabbed a goal or two against the Canaries.
Despite being hammered in their previous two matches 5-2 against Liverpool and 4-1 at Chelsea, Hughton’s side looked incredible solid at the back.
And they also had the first chance of the game when winger Anthony Pilkington sent a second-minute shot from outside the box flashing wide of the post.
As you would expect, Arsenal looked menacing going forward although they rarely tested John Ruddy in the home goal.
Santi Cazorla may be vertically challenged and appeared to be shorter than a couple of the match mascots, yet he has been brilliant this season.
But here in Norfolk, he was unusually quiet.
Norwich took the lead in the 19th-minute. Tettey delivered a nasty, swerving, powerful shot which Mannone failed to hold.
And there was Holt who beat Per Mertesacker to the ball to stab home from a few yards.
Holt scored 17 times last season and, unfairly, received some stick from supporters this season. Yet he has now scored three times in succession and if Norwich are to stay up, they will need their talisman.
Arsenal had one opportunity before the break following a fine pass from Mikel Arteta but Gervinho hopelessly wasted the chance as he failed to kick the ball properly.
The Gunners’ best chance came fell to Olivier Giroud. But with his back to goal he collapsed on the ground in a heap.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took a nasty whack seconds after arriving on the pitch and within eight minutes, was leaving the pitch with a hip injury that will keep him out of the Champions League clash with Schalke.
While it was a miserable day all round for Arsenal, Norwich boss Hughton could not contain his delight — and relief.
He revealed: “It is the most satisfying of three points. It has been a long time coming.
“There have been performances which have warranted a win. But this league is unforgiving.
“Towards the end, a real quality Arsenal team had to open up and we did really well.
“It was good to keep a clean sheet and to score one more goal than the opposition.”
