KOLKATA (India): Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s double helped struggling Arsenal salvage a point in their 2-2 draw against Norwich in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Canaries twice led through Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell, but Aubameyang first equalised from the penalty spot and then with a clinical finish after the break.
Despite the change of coach Arsenal couldn’t win as caretaker manager Freddie Ljungberg debuted following the sacking of Unai Emery.
The Spaniard was sacked as Arsenal manager after seven games without a win in all competitions that had seen the Gunners fall well off the pace in the race for a top-four finish.
Arsenal also had goalkeeper Bernd Leno to thank for coming away with a point as the German saved brilliantly from Kenny McLean, Pukki and Emiliano Buendia.
Aubameyang got the equaliser in the 56th minute when he struck his 10th Premier League goal of the season, curling in from close range after meeting a loose ball.
Ljungberg fans’ favourite
Ljungberg remains a fans’ favourite from his title-winning days as an Arsenal player, but he suffered the same problems as his predecessor as the visitors’ firepower up front was needed to cover up their defensive problems.
Ljungberg made five changes to the team which lost to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday with Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette among those recalled.
It was first test of Ljungberg’s reign as the Swede sought to lift his team at the interval.
They were soon back on the front foot at the start of the second half – only to have a penalty shout waved away for what looked like another handball.
For the record, Arsenal hasn’t won the Premier League title after 2003-04 when Arsene Wenger led them to an incredible victory.
The Gunners, seven off Chelsea in fourth, will host Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
