Alexis Sanchez ‘had no problem’ but Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal have one now after Norwich draw

Norwich City deserved their share of the points and an injury to Sanchez, the most potent but overused force, adds to Wenger’s woes, writes Richard Jolly.

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, centre, was first pushed into a pit on the sidelines and then tripped to pull his right hamstring against Norwich City. Michael Regan / Getty Images

Every game feels fraught with danger for Arsenal. There was a time at Carrow Road last night when, in complete control and after scoring a wonderfully-taken goal, this seemed the simplest of wins.

Yet by the time they left, for the comically short 14-minute flight back towards London, they had suffered a series of blows in Norfolk. “We are frustrated,” said Arsene Wenger. That seemed an understatement.

Two points were lost. Perhaps more importantly, so were three players.

And not just any three, either. The playmaker Santi Cazorla completed the game, but with a knee problem. Their best defender, Laurent Koscielny, was hurt early on. Their most potent finisher, Alexis Sanchez, hobbled off in the second half.

That latter pair must now be considered doubts for their Champions League eliminator next week against Olympiakos. Perhaps they are in danger of missing the pivotal clash with Manchester City on December 21. Each will be assessed today.

What can be said with certainty is that Arsenal have gone three league games without a win. A title charge has become a stumble.

Norwich City, who are turning into obdurate opponents, certainly merited their point and manager Alex Neil has been rewarded for his recent adoption of pragmatism. His side came closer to a winner.

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Wes Hoolahan blazed over on the stroke of half time. Petr Cech made a brilliant save to spare Gabriel an own goal.

The Brazilian had begun on the bench. Arsenal would have preferred to keep him there. Injuries are their unwanted constant and, even as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returned, their casualty list lengthened.

Koscielny went off with a hip problem. His replacement, Gabriel, was at fault when Lewis Grabban levelled.

In August, the striker was suspended by Norwich for failing to show up for a League Cup tie against Rotherham as he tried to force through a move back to Bournemouth.

Unsurprisingly, he had not started a league game since then. His recall was rendered memorable when he met Robbie Brady’s pass, turned and tucked a shot beneath Cech.

Arsenal’s scorer nevertheless saw his record-breaking run end. Mesut Ozil had become the first player to create a goal in seven successive Premier League games.

Provider was finisher in Norwich as Sanchez provided the reverse pass and Ozil the deft, precise finish.

As ever, the German displayed a perfect appreciation of space and weight. While Arsenal had dominated possession and the goal was taken beautifully, Norwich had contributed to their own undoing, with John Ruddy’s poor clearance leading to the Arsenal attack.

So far, so good for Sanchez, but this proved a painful afternoon for him. He landed in the concrete cameraman’s pit after a shove by Ryan Bennett. He then went off with a hamstring strain after a challenge from the same defender.

The Chilean can seem indestructible, an anomaly in an injury-prone Arsenal squad, but this was proof he is not.

He has been overused of late and Wenger admitted on Friday he had hamstring trouble. “I would have rested him today but he declared he had no problem,” said the manager. He does now.

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