Arsenal 2 Norwich 1: Eddie Nketiah is the hero as Gunners come from behind in cup win
YOUNGSTER Eddie Nketiah rescued Arsenal with a dramatic late equaliser just seconds after being thrown on by Arsene Wenger.
Posted Wednesday, October 25, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk
Eddie Nketiah was Arsenal's hero in their cup win over Norwich
The 18-year-old, whose only other first-team experience was a minute in the Europa League, stabbed home Theo Walcott's corner with his first touch following a flick-on from Francis Coquelin.
His 85th-minute effort took the tie into extra-time, just as Norwich's thoughts were turning to an upset.
The Canaries had taken the lead on 34 minutes as Josh Murphy showed some of Arsenal's big names how to make the most of a Carabao Cup chance.
With Walcott skipper, Olivier Giroud – fresh from his FIFA goal of the year award – up front and Jack Wilshere as well as Alex Iwobi in midfield, the Gunners had plenty of old heads around.
But it was Murphy, who has had more than twice as many league games off the bench than starts for Norwich, who broke the deadlock.
With makeshift centre-back Mohamed Elneny in no-man's land, James Maddison played a simple through ball for Murphy to race onto.
He easily outstripped Mathieu Debuchy, then showed a touch of class in chipping deftly over on-rushing keeper Matt Macey, who was making his debut.
It continued the 22-year-old winger's love affair with the cup, making it eight goals in seven starts in the competition for the Canaries, including four in three this season.
For Arsenal star Wilshere in particular this was another massive chance to try to prove he still has what it takes to be a top star.
The England international, who spent last year on loan at Bournemouth, had his first taste of Premier League action for the north Londoners in 17 months on Sunday when given the last 13 minutes by Wenger in their 5-2 win at Everton.
And in the fifth minute he used his sweet left foot to deliver an inviting free-kick which Giroud could not quite get his head on to. Iwobi fired over not long after.
Mario Vrancic dragged a shot wide of the near post for Norwich, then Walcott's corner found Rob Holding whose powerful header was kept out superbly by Angus Gunn.
Gunn was then alert to a shot at his near post from Ainsley Maitland-Niles and seconds later Norwich were ahead.
It was nearly 2-0 before the break when Macey dived full length to save from Nelson Oliveira.
The hapless Elneny was lucky to escape with a caution on 56 minutes when he pulled back Oliveira as he was set to go through on goal.
Referee Bobby Madley awarded a foul but only booked the Egyptian.
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