Hughton baffled by Hoolahan Irish snub

Norwich 1 Arsenal 0

Playing in the hole just behind Norwich’s match-winner Grant Holt, Hoolahan played a pivotal role in the Canaries surprise win over Arsenal.

Despite being a key player for Norwich in their promotion season, last season in a barnstorming first year back in the Premier League and now under Hughton, Hoolahan has not been able to get a look in for his country under the Italian.

Hughton said: “I have spoken to Wes but it makes no difference. I don’t pick the Irish team or squad. Every player wants to represent their country and Wes is no different. I know what a good player he is and I know what he has done at this club for the past three years.”

City’s first league win under Hughton was down, in the main, to their endeavour, enterprise and spirit which the Canaries boss insisted will see them stay in the top flight.

He said: “Morale has always been good and what probably helps is even though we have not picked up many points, there has always been a group of teams round us so we have not been separated.

“We know where we are. We know we are going to lose games but it is about being tough and being able to bounce back. They are a good group, a tough group and a spirited group and we will need that as the season goes on.”

Hughton admitted he had been feeling the pain after suffering four losses and three draws in the opening seven matches.

He said: “It hurts and it take a little while to get it out of your system each time but what was the defining thing was in the four games we lost, we had played very well.”

The former Spurs player and coach admitted getting an extra buzz from beating Arsenal but insisted it was not down to the north London rivalry.

He said: “It is extra nice to beat Arsenal because they are a Champions League team and will be in a CL position come the end of the season so it was more about that than them being the Arsenal and my old Tottenham connections.”

After failing to take what many expected to be three points, manager Arsene Wenger admitted the 10-point gap which has opened between them and leaders Chelsea is now a concern.

“The gap at the top is unpleasant,” said the Arsenal manager. “We had an opportunity to close the gap but we didn’t. It does worry me but what is more disappointing is we didn’t score.”

Despite a disappointing display by striker Lukas Podolski and the Gunners attack, Wenger insisted he would not necessarily be dipping into the transfer market for a new striker.

Wenger said: “We will wait until we see how players are when they come back. We did not create enough, that is for sure. It was a poor collective offensive performance, although we have scored goals up until now.

“We have to give Norwich credit because they were very strong, organised and they stopped us very well.”

Wenger admitted Arsenal were caught out somewhat by Norwich’s intensity and struggled to find a way back after Grant Holt’s 19th minute finish, following a howler by Vito Mannone who failed to hold onto a 30-yard shot from Alex Tettey.

Although angered by the defeat, Wenger was also a little philosophical, adding: “What can I do now? I am angry because we have not created very much. We were not in the game for the first 20 minutes and they scored and it made it difficult. We had to equalise before half time and did not do that. There was always something missing — defensively we were not at our usual level.”

Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways in the Champions League on Wednesday when they take on FC Schalke 04 who won impressively in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

NORWICH CITY (4-4-2): Ruddy 7; R. Martin 6, Bassong 8, Turner 7, Garrido 7; Pilkington 8, Johnson 7, Tettey 8, E. Bennett 6 (Snodgrass 79); Hoolahan 6, Holt 8 (Morison, 90).

Subs not used: Rudd, Howson, Jackson, Surman, R. Bennett

ARSENAL (4-3-3): Mannone 5; Jenkinson 7, Mertesacker 6, Vermaelen 5, Santos 6; Arteta 7, Ramsey 6 (Gnabry, 83) 6, Cazorla 6; Podolski 5 (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 65 – Arshavin, 74) 6, Gervinho 5, Giroud 6.

Subs not used: Martinez, Djourou, Coquelin, Wilshere.

Referee: Lee Probert 6.