Norwich City 1-2 Arsenal: Lethal Van Persie double gives Gunners fifth straight league win despite Mertesacker blunder

Arsenal came from a behind to defeat Norwich City 2-1 on Saturday, with Robin van Persie's double helping his side to their fifth straight Premier League victory.

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The Gunner’s visit to Carrow Road was the first of any of the supposed ‘top four’ since Norwich were last in the Premier League, six years ago, with Paul Lambert's side having put in strong performances on the road against Liverpool and Chelsea already this campaign.

An error from German centre-back Per Mertesacker allowed striker Steve Morison to give the home side an early lead, before Van Persie struck either side of half-time to ensure Arsene Wenger's men continue their fine form.

A sun-drenched Carrow Road saw the visitors make a lively start to the game, with the pace of Theo Walcott and Gervinho in the wide areas causing the Canaries problems.

The in-form Van Persie also looked menacing in the early stages, dragging his 20 yard effort just inches past John Ruddy’s far post, and with just ten minutes gone the visitors were left wondering how an earth they hadn’t taken the lead.

Following persistent play from Gervinho, Walcott received the ball 15 yards from goal. The winger cut inside onto his left foot, before curling a brilliant effort into the far corner, only for Russell Martin to defy the England man with a superb hooked clearance.

Arsenal were left to rue their missed chances as Norwich took the lead just minutes later.

        Merte-slacker | The German defender's slip allowed Morison to give Norwich the lead

Summer signing Mertesacker was hassled by Morison on the edge of the Arsenal area, and the forward’s pressure paid off as the German centre-back crumbled, leaving Morison one-on-one with Szczesny, before coolly slotting home.

The goal didn’t deter the visitors however, as they continued in the same attacking fashion, with Gervinho's low effort blocked by John Ruddy, before Wenger's men eventually capitalised on their forward possession.

Unsurprisingly it was Walcott who created the goal, driving to the by-line before pulling the ball back for Van Persie, who was left with the simple task of restoring parity for his side from two yards out to score his 14^th goal in his last 17 games.

Just before the hour, the visitors really should have taken lead for the first time in the game.

As so often, Van Persie was the linchpin in the attack, displaying some brilliant footwork, before threading the ball through for Gervinho.

The Ivorian side stepped past the on-rushing Ruddy, and with the hard work done and an empty net gaping, he contrived to fire the ball at the diving keeper.

After seeing his teammates squander multiple chances, it was once again Van Persie who produced a moment of quality to give his side the lead.

Russell Martin, who hadn’t put a foot wrong all game, was caught in possession in the centre circle by Aaron Ramsey. The ball fell for Alex Song, who slid Van Persie through, and the Dutchman did the rest, superbly chipping the ball over Ruddy with his right foot.

The Canaries searched for an equaliser, but the late onslaught, which the Carrow Road faithful have become so accustomed to, did not materialise, with Arsenal superbly keeping possession to ensure victory.

The win leaves Norwich in ninth, whilst Arsenal move up a place to fifth, level on points with London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham before the rest of Saturday's fixtures.