Arsenal 2-1 Norwich (AET): Edward Nketiah scores twice

If you don’t believe in fairytales, then this will surely change your mind.

By full time the Arsenal fans were chanting ‘Eddie, Eddie, Eddie’.

Right now you’ll be wracking your brains thinking: ‘Eddie who?’. Eddie Nketiah, that’s who. 

Edward Nketiah (right) comes on as a substitute to replace Reiss Nelson (left) in the 85th minute of the match

Nketiah (centre) gets on the end of Francis Coquelin's flicked header to level the scores in the closing stages of normal time

Nketiah (centre) gets on the end of Francis Coquelin’s flicked header to level the scores in the closing stages of normal time

The 18-year-old forward poked home at the far post with his first touch after coming on as a late substitute 

The 18-year-old forward poked home at the far post with his first touch after coming on as a late substitute 

The youngster celebrates in front of the Arsenal fans after scoring his first goal for the senior team

The youngster celebrates in front of the Arsenal fans after scoring his first goal for the senior team

Nketiah (right) is congratulated by Alex Iwobi (2nd right) and Olivier Giroud (left) after his clinical equaliser 

Nketiah (right) is congratulated by Alex Iwobi (2nd right) and Olivier Giroud (left) after his clinical equaliser 

Nketiah (3rd left) gives Arsenal the lead in extra-time with a fine header from Mohamed Elneny's corner

Nketiah (3rd left) gives Arsenal the lead in extra-time with a fine header from Mohamed Elneny’s corner

The Englishman celebrates in the corner after completing the most memorable of late cameos

The Englishman celebrates in the corner after completing the most memorable of late cameos

The Arsenal team congratulate their latest hero after finally taking the lead against the Canaries on Tuesday night

The Arsenal team congratulate their latest hero after finally taking the lead against the Canaries on Tuesday night

MATCH FACTS 

Arsenal (3-4-2-1): Macey 6.5; Debuchy 6, Elneny 5.5, Holding 6; Nelson 6 (Nketiah 85, 8.5), Coquelin 6, Iwobi 6 (Dasilva 105, 5), Maitland-Niles 5.5 (Akpom 70,6); Walcott 6.5, Wilshere 6.5 (Willock 113); Giroud 5

Subs not used: Iliev, Nketiah, Osei-Tutu, Sheaf. Booked: Elneny, Coquelin, Wilshere, Akpom

Goals: Nketiah 85, 96

Booked: Elneny, Coquelin, Wilshere, Akpom 

Manager: Wenger 7

Norwich (4-2-3-1): Gunn 7; Pinto 6, Klose 6, Zimmerman 6.5, Husband 6; Reed 7 (Jerome 101, 5), Trybull 7; Vrancic 6.5 (Wildschut 90, 6), Maddison 7 (Hoolahan 90, 6), Murphy 7.5 (Stiepermann 73); Oliveira 6.5

Subs not used: McGovern, Martin, Jerome, Franke

Goal: Murphy 34

Booked: Husband, Trybull 

Manager: Farke 7

Referee: Andy Madley 5

Attendance: 58,444

MOM: Nketiah

Hopefully the 18-year-old goes on to fulfil his potential in the game.

But even if he doesn’t, he’ll always have this night. The night he was Arsenal’s hero; the darling of the Emirates Stadium.

In only his second appearance as a senior professional, the youngster scored a dramatic late equaliser with his first touch after coming on as a 85th minute substitute.

And as if that wasn’t romantic enough, Nketiah – who becomes the first Arsenal goalscorer born after Arsene Wenger took over in 1996 – notched Arsenal’s winner in extra time. Utterly breathtaking.

Credit to Norwich, they were excellent. Had they taken their chances, Nketiah’s late leveller would have been mere consolation.

But Norwich didn’t stand a chance. This was fate. Destiny.

The Emirates Stadium tannoy announcer unintentionally introduced Norwich as arch rivals Ipswich in the lead-up to kick-off.

The slip of the tongue sparked roars of laughter from the home supporters. But it was Norwich fans who were smiling at the end of the first-half.

It took understrength Arsenal some time to get going; Alex Iwobi’s long range effort that dipped narrowly over the bar the best they had to show during the opening 15 minutes.

Norwich, without pulling up any trees, were more than holding their own, Mario Vrancic firing wide from the edge of the box after a positive run through the heart of Arsenal’s defence.

Angus Gunn made his first save of the night in the 20th minute, producing an excellent reflex stop to deny Rob Holding’s bullet header from Theo Walcott’s corner. 

Norwich winger Josh Murphy opens the scoring with a deft finish midway through the first half at the Emirates Stadium

Norwich winger Josh Murphy opens the scoring with a deft finish midway through the first half at the Emirates Stadium

Murphy (right) lifted the ball over the onrushing Matt Macey to break the deadlock in the Carabao Cup clash

Murphy (right) lifted the ball over the onrushing Matt Macey to break the deadlock in the Carabao Cup clash

Murphy celebrates in front of the Arsenal supporters after giving his side a surprise lead in north London

Murphy celebrates in front of the Arsenal supporters after giving his side a surprise lead in north London

The 22-year-old pumps his fist in the air after making the most of a swift turnover in possession 

The 22-year-old pumps his fist in the air after making the most of a swift turnover in possession 

But that was the best a lacklustre Arsenal had to show for their first half showing.

Indeed, it was about to get much worse as Daniel Farke’s men took a shock 34th minute lead.

It happened in a flash; Tom Trybull robbing Alex Iwobi in midfield before James Maddison’s through ball found Josh Murphy who nonchalantly chipped over debutant Matt Macey to fire Norwich ahead.

Had Macey not produced a brilliant stop to deny Nelson Oliveira’s low effort five minutes later then Arsenal could have had a steeper second half hill to climb.

Wenger’s response was to move Jack Wilshere from the left to his preferred central midfield position; Iwobi replacing the England hopeful on the flank. 

Jack Wilshere (centre) and his team-mates look on as Norwich celebrate taking the lead in the fourth round showdown

Jack Wilshere (centre) and his team-mates look on as Norwich celebrate taking the lead in the fourth round showdown

Rob holding (2nd left) sees his point blank header brilliantly saved by Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn

Rob holding (2nd left) sees his point blank header brilliantly saved by Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn

The English defender reacts in frustration after failing to make the most of his team's best chance of the first half 

The English defender reacts in frustration after failing to make the most of his team’s best chance of the first half 

Not that the tactical alteration did anything to shake Arsenal out of their malaise. Misplaced pass after misplace pass, it was all very un-Arsenal like.

They had referee Andy Madley to thank for not sending off Mohamed Elneny after the Egyptian brought down Oliveira in the 55th minute when the Canaries striker was through on goal.

The visiting bench were incensed when Madley brandished a yellow card; when Farke sees the replays he is unlikely to change his mind. Elneny and Arsenal had got away with one.

Murphy and Vrancic missed three glorious chances for Norwich as the Gunners continued to toil, the fear for Farke was that his side would be punished for their profligacy.

And his fears were realised as Nketiah embarked on a unforgettable night; first equalising in the 85th minute as Norwich failed to deal with Theo Walcott’s corner before heading home a euphoric winner six minutes into extra time.

French midfielder Francis Coquelin (right) flies through the air after being fouled by a Norwich player

French midfielder Francis Coquelin (right) flies through the air after being fouled by a Norwich player

Alex Iwobi curls an effort narrowly wide of the far post as Arsenal went in search of an equaliser 

Alex Iwobi curls an effort narrowly wide of the far post as Arsenal went in search of an equaliser 

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger watches on as Norwich continued to make life tough for his side at the Emirates

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger watches on as Norwich continued to make life tough for his side at the Emirates

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