Bellerin: Arsenal can cope without Sanchez

“I think at the beginning of the second half, Arsenal dropped”.

Arsene Wenger’s side are on the brink of elimination from the UEFA Champions League with one match still to be played in the group stage, making success in the Premier League that much more important.

The Canaries should have been ahead at the interval but Wes Hoolahan somehow turned over Andre Wisdom’s cross from three yards out as he ghosted in unmarked at the back-post.

Lewis Grabban then turned Koscielny’s replacement Gabriel in the Arsenal penalty area before equalising two minutes from half-time, while Sanchez departed on the hour with a thigh problem.

The loss of Sanchez seemed to knock Arsenal’s confidence and Alex Neil’s side set about taking full advantage.

Cech had to be on hand at the other end to make an outstanding reaction save when Olsson’s cross ricocheted towards goal and he did well to get a hand to the ball.

Despite forcing the issue, Norwich could not find a late victor as Arsenal were left hanging on to take a point home on their plane back to London.

Their opening goal came when Alexis Sanchez capitalised on a stray clearance from keeper John Ruddy.

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has honestly stated that the Gunners’ performance against Norwich City on Sunday was simply not good enough to merit a victory. The worrying thing is it got worse during the game.

Wenger acknowledged that it is crucial to have leaders on the pitch and, with the likes of Per Mertesacker, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez he has a number of influential players but he wants everyone in his squad to play their part. “At the moment we are a bit short because of injuries”.

We’ll know more this week about Sanchez’s status, but it seemingly appears that he could be out for a very long time. “It was, on the injury-front, a bad afternoon for us”.

The Frenchman also cited a lack of options in attacking areas as a reason for why Sanchez was selected and, after praising him for being aware of how far he can push himself in the build up to the game, was happy to trust his players’ own opinion.

He said: “We have to go through that spell”.

“I can feel for Arsene in a way”, Henry said. “He says it’s a kick on his hamstring, I believe that’s not really the reality”.

“They are ready to step up so obviously every single player on the bench can do the same job as every single player in the starting eleven. I thought we got a better balance today”.