Danny Welbeck strikes as Arsenal sneak past Norwich City

Danny Welbeck came off the bench to score the winner as Arsenal secured a narrow victory against Norwich City overshadowed by supporter protests.

Arsenal fans held up placards bearing the slogan 'TIME FOR CHANGE' in the 12th and 78th minutes at the Emirates Stadium to represent the club's 12 years without a Premier League title, and for much of the afternoon it appeared that their team would produce a result that highlighted all of their deep-seated frustrations.

Norwich were the more dangerous team in a first half that saw Arsenal fail to muster a single shot on target, while at the other end the lively Nathan Redmond twice stung the palms of Petr Cech.

The withdrawal of youngster Alex Iwobi for Welbeck on 56 minutes was greeted with boos but the England international did not take long to make an impact, rifling a low shot into the bottom corner after Olivier Giroud had headed Hector Bellerin's cross into his path.

Norwich pushed hard for an equaliser to boost their Premier League survival hopes after witnessing Newcastle United and Sunderland pick up points earlier on Saturday, but Arsenal held on to secure a win that moves them clear in third place.

How does Arsene Wenger mend his broken relationship with Arsenal fans? It was hard not to dwell on the surreal atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal played out a dire first half, failing to once test Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy. Welbeck's introduction and impact after the break will be greeted as a minor victory by the shrinking 'Wenger Knows Best' brigade, but it is clear that a significant - and vocal - faction of Arsenal supporters no longer have any confidence in their manager to solve the club's long-term problems. Equally, it's hard to see Wenger walking away from Arsenal as long as he retains the support of the board and keeps the club in the Champions League. But something has to give if anger is not to give way to apathy among Arsenal's fanbase as they watch a team stuck on repeat.

Danny Welbeck (Arsenal): He didn't have to do much to stand out in a match largely devoid of quality, but Welbeck injected some much-needed pace and urgency into Arsenal's attack when he was introduced early in the second half, capping an impressive cameo appearance with the game's decisive goal.

Arsenal: Cech 7; Bellerin 7, Mertesacker 6, Koscielny 6, Monreal 5; Elneny 7, Ramsey 6, Iwobi 7; Alexis 6, Giroud 6, Ozil 6. Subs: Gabriel 7, Coquelin 6, Welbeck 8.

Norwich City: Ruddy 7; Pinto 6, Martin 7, Bassong 7, Olsson 7; Redmond 7, O'Neil 6, Howson 6, Brady 6, Hoolahan 6; Jerome 6. Subs: Mbokani 7, Naismith 6, Jarvis 6.

6' - CHANCE: Norwich are showing plenty of attacking intent early on and Olsson's cross from the left flank runs all the way through to Redmond at the back post, who controls before hammering a shot that Cech blocks with his leg.

11' - CHANCE: Another neat Arsenal move culminates with Ramsey feeding Giroud but, after working himself a yard of space, the Frenchman sees his low shot blocked by Martin.

38' - CHANCE: Koscielny meets Ozil's corner at the near post but his header under pressure flies just over Ruddy's crossbar.

42' - CHANCE: Redmond was identified by Arsene Wenger pre-match as Norwich's biggest attacking threat, and the winger underlines his talent once again with a shot that stings the palms of Cech from a tight angle.

49' - CHANCE: Wenger's half-time team talk doesn't seem to have made much of an impact, with Arsenal still lacking intensity and Norwich showing the greater ambition. Redmond flashes in a cross from the right and Jerome attacks it, missing the ball by inches.

59' - GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Norwich. Now that's what you call an impact substitute! Bellerin clips a cross in from the right, Giroud knocks it down and Welbeck lashes the ball into the bottom corner with the aid of a slight deflection off Bassong. Frustration turns to relief.

70' - CHANCE: Great work from Redmond to race away from Monreal on the right, and the winger's low cross forces Gabriel into a last-ditch sliding block to prevent Mbokani having a simple tap-in.

71' - CHANCE: Arsenal counter with pace and numbers from a Norwich corner and Ozil produces one of the passes of the season to give Alexis a shooting chance, but the Chilean's toe poke flies straight into the arms of Ruddy.

82' - CHANCE: Giroud smartly flicks the ball into the path of an onrushing Elneny and the Egyptian attempts a curling shot with the outside of his foot, but Ruddy flies to his right to tip the ball wide. Nice save.

Arsenal have failed to register a single shot on target in the first half five times in the Premier League this season. All five matches were at home.

No side has kept fewer clean sheets than Norwich City in the Premier League this season (five, level with Aston Villa).