Arsenal strengthened their grip on the Champions League places by beating Norwich but the nervy 1-0 win provided little entertainment for a disillusioned fanbase. Another ineffectual display from Olivier Giroud was a particular source of frustration… If it was surprising to see Olivier Giroud in Arsenals starting line-up against Sunderland last weekend, it was doubly so to see him stay there for the visit of Norwich. The Frenchmans Premier League scoring drought stretched to 801 minutes with a poor showing at the Stadium of Light, and he added another 90 to the total on a difficult afternoon in north London.The muted protests around the Emirates Stadium suggested many Arsenal supporters are still on Arsene Wengers side, but his continued faith in Giroud must be testing their patience. It looked all the more puzzling as Danny Welbeck netted the decisive goal just three minutes and seven seconds after coming off the bench. Jamie Redknapp gives his reaction to Arsenals 1-0 win over Norwich at the Emirates Giroud did, at least, provide the cushioned header to set up the goal, but that was about the only thing that went right for him all afternoon. The misfiring striker has not scored in the Premier League since Arsenals 3-3 draw with Liverpool in January, and he has only found the net in one of his last 21 appearances in all competitions.The drought never looked like ending against Norwich, who came to soak up pressure and hit the Gunners on the break. In the first half, Arsenal had Petr Cech to thank for keeping the scores level with two saves from Nathan Redmond, and at the other end they failed to muster a single first half shot on target for the fourth time in their last nine home games. Redknapp and Tim Sherwood felt that the introduction of Welbeck changed the game Giroud toiled as the lone striker. He set the tone for the afternoon when he failed to get a shot away from Aaron Ramseys pass in the 11th minute, and at the end of the first period he had touched the ball fewer times than goalkeeper Cech. Our game lacked a little bit of pace and penetration, Wenger conceded in his post-match interview with Sky Sports. It was a bit one-paced. Arsene Wenger described Arsenals 1-0 win against Norwich as a very difficult game It felt like a pointed reference to Giroud, whose struggles continued after the break. Just 30 seconds into the second half he wastefully headed a lofted pass over the onrushing Alex Iwobi on the edge of Norwichs box, and two minutes later he ran a Ramsey through ball out for a goal kick.His lack of movement and reluctance to run in behind made it difficult for the visibly frustrated Mesut Ozil to unlock Norwichs defence, and the visitors were comfortable sitting back and watching Arsenal harmlessly pass the ball from one side of the midfield to the other. Wenger says sorry Arsene Wenger insists he will work hard to make all Arsenal fans happy. It appeared as though Girouds afternoon might be over when Welbeck began stripping off in the dugout, but Wenger had other ideas, and while most Arsenal supporters had not partaken in the banner protests, the crowd were united in vociferous booing at the decision to withdraw Alex Iwobi instead of their No 12.Welbeck, meanwhile, gave Arsenal exactly what they needed. The former Manchester United striker, so impressive before losing his place in the side after the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace earlier this month, provided an immediate injection of speed and urgency. His first contribution was to set up a shooting chance for Mohamed Elneny, and his well-taken goal came shortly afterwards. Danny Welbeck confirmed that he stills sees himself as a striker It was his fourth in 10 Premier League games since his return from injury in January and with it he equalled his tally for the whole of last season. Suddenly, Arsenal looked dangerous, with Welbecks pace stretching Norwich and providing an outlet for the counter-attack. The contrast with the static Giroud could hardly have been more obvious. Passing problems Olivier Giroud finished the game with a passing accuracy of just 65.7 per cent compared to Danny Welbecks 88.0 per cent. The Frenchman did not link play adequately either. His passing accuracy of 65.7 per cent was the lowest of Arsenals outfield starters, and their attacks continued to break down around him as the second half wore on. He spurned a chance to release Ozil with a poor first touch in the 66th minute, and on the one occasion he did succeed in springing Norwichs offside trap with eight minutes to go, he gave his marker time to recover and steal back possession. Olivier Giroud challenges Norwich defender Ivo Pinto The difference in intensity between the Arsenal forwards was clearest in the closing minutes as, shortly after Giroud could be seen ambling back from an offside position during an Gunners attack, Welbeck was throwing himself into tackles and feverishly pressing Norwich defenders in the centre circle.The contrasting performances give Wenger plenty to think about ahead of Arsenals trip to Manchester City next weekend. On recent evidence, his best chance of claiming a result at the Etihad Stadium would be to deploy the striker more suited to their style. Also See: Welbeck strike rescues Wenger Wenger says sorry to protesters Aaron Ness Jersey . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Philipp Grubauer Jersey . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. http://www.capitalsauthority.com/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Alex Ovechkin Jersey .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Jonas Siegenthaler Jersey . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. CINCINNATI -- Left fielder Adam Duvall and center fielder Billy Hamilton called for the ball at the same time. Neither one got it, setting up another bad moment for a Reds team that cant seem to do anything right lately.Anthony Rizzo legged out his first inside-the-park homer on Wednesday -- a fitting final touch to a series full of unusual moments -- and the Chicago Cubs beat Cincinnati 9-2 for a three-game sweep that put them back on solid footing after a rough stretch.The Cubs went 1-6 last week, hurt by an injury-depleted lineup and a balky bullpen. With thousands of Cubs fans in the stands at Great American Ball Park for each game, they pulled off an invigorating sweep.The NL Central leaders won the opener 11-8 as Kris Bryant became the first major leaguer with three homers and two doubles in a game. They won 7-2 in 15 innings Tuesday night in a game that featured Javier Baezs grand slam and three relievers playing left field alternately.There was more wackiness in the finale.Rizzo drove in three runs in the first inning off left-hander Cody Reed (0-2) with the Cubs first inside-the-park homer since 2011, when Tony Campana circled the bases against Cincinnati. Duvall cut in front of Hamilton but couldnt get to the ball, which deflected off Hamiltons cheek.Rizzo couldnt remember the last time he circled the bases that way.Maybe Little League? he said. Nothing like that. Ill take it.Hamilton left the game to get tested for a concussion. He missed a week earlier this month after suffering a concussion when he slid into third base and got hit in the head.We both called for it at the same time, Duvall said. I thought we were going to collide. I didnt take my eye off the ball, but I mightve flinched a little bit. It hit him pretty good. It ended up rolling pretty far.Reed gave up nine hits and seven runs in four innings of his third major league start. Hed expected some rough times as he got accustomed to the majors.I didnt think about it, but I knew it would happen, Reed said. Its a learning curve, nothing I cant handle.Kyle Hendricks (6-6) gave up Duvalls 22nd homer and went 6 2/3 innings, thrrowing 117 pitches to rest a bullpen worn out from pitching and playing the outfield.ddddddddddddHe also drove in a run with a squeeze bunt.Addison Russell and Albert Almora Jr. had solo shots for the Cubs, who hit 10 homers during the series. Baez had three more hits on Wednesday. Rizzos homer gave him a 10-game hitting streak during which hes gone 17 for 36.The Cubs have the major leagues best record at 51-26. Theyre 9-1 against the Reds this season and have won 12 of their last 13 against their NL Central rival.The Cubs 27 runs in the series matched their second-highest total of the season for a three-game stretch.They also turned in more good defensive plays. Right fielder Ben Zobrist threw out Joey Votto at the plate as he tried to score from second on Jay Bruces single in the third.SLAMMEDResearch into Baezs 15th-inning slam found that it was the latest by inning in Cubs history. Also, it was only the third in baseball history to happen in the 15th inning or later. New Yorks Tino Martinez hit one in the 15th in 1996, and Bostons Clyde Vollmer hit one in the 16th inning in 1951, according to STATS information provided by the team. The Cubs hadnt scored five runs so late in a game since 1927.TRAINERS ROOMCubs: Cubs manager Joe Maddon gave LHP Travis Wood the day off after he played left field and pitched in relief Tuesday night.Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips was in the lineup despite getting hit in the ribs and taking a foul off his left ankle Tuesday night. He had a single in four at-bats.UP NEXTCubs: RHP John Lackey (7-4, 3.29 ERA) opens a four-game series at New York against the Mets. Hes coming off his worst outing of the season, when he allowed seven runs in 4 1/3 innings of a loss at Miami last Saturday.Reds: LHP Brandon Finnegan (3-6, 3.83) opens a four-game series at Washington. He has lost his last two starts, giving up seven earned runs in 11 2/3 innings. 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