Carabao Cup 2017/18: Arsenal 2-1 Norwich City (AET): 5 Talking Points

In the 4th round of Caraboa Cup, Arsenal welcomed Championship side Norwich City to the Emirates. On the face of it, this was meant to be another routine cup game for the Gunners, but the unbeaten-in-9-matches Norwich proved more than worthy opponents.

After a lacklustre opening half hour, Norwich surprisingly opened the scoring in the 34th minute as Josh Murphy coolly lobbed Arsenal debutant, Matt Macey. The Canaries took that lead into halftime and they looked good value for it too.

After the break, matters remained the same as Norwich looked the more likely of the two to score. However, deep into the second half, Edward Nketiah scored with his first touch of the game, with 4 minutes of normal time to go. That goal took us into extra time where the 18-year-old scored his second to win the game for the Gunners.

Here are 5 talking points from Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Norwich City:

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#5 Jack Wilshere under-delivers

Jack Wilshere played 114 minutes of football tonight

In a game where Arsène Wenger needed his more senior players to step up, Jack Wilshere did the opposite of that. The central midfielder was nowhere to be seen when it came to creating chances. Instead, the Englishman seemed to lose the ball at every opportunity. Harrison Reed was clearly tasked with man-marking Wilshere and did a good job of it.

Jack’s passing was wayward, his runs were limited and his creativity was minimal. The only positive to be taken from his appearance is the fact that he lasted close to 2 hours on a football pitch for the Gunners. The Englishman is currently in the last year of his contract, and with performances like that, there’s no reason for the club to offer him a new deal.

#4 Josh Murphy excels

Josh Murphy gave Norwich hope with the first goal of the game

It’s no easy feat to come to the Emirates, play on the last shoulder and terrorise an Arsenal defence all game. On top of that, the youngster even picked himself up a Messi-esque goal, that was his 5th of the season.

Josh Murphy’s inclusion was a pivotal part of Daniel Farke’s plans. His pace down the flanks allowed Norwich to confidently player on the counter. But such is the versatility of the winger, that he regularly made runs through the middle to help destabilise Arsenal’s back three.

And it was with one of those runs through the centre that allowed James Maddison to play him through on goal for the opener.

The 22-year-old came off in the 72nd minute, visibly shattered from the amazing shift he had just put in. Once he came off, the Canaries lost their edge in attack as their primary attacking outlet on the counter was no longer available.

#3 Extra defensive cover in Mathieu Debuchy

Mathieu Debuchy has only played twice for Arsenal in 11 months

In a makeshift defensive line, Mathieu Debuchy seemed to be the most competent of them all. Four out of Arsenal’s back five were not playing in their preferred positions and it showed. Most notably, Mohammed Elneny put in a shocking display, regularly stepping out of place when not asked to. Debuchy, on the other hand, despite naturally being a right-back, put in a commanding performance at centre-back.

The Frenchman’s performance gives Arsène Wenger a little selection dilemma for the future. In a season where Arsenal have struggled defensively, the inclusion of Debuchy in the Premier League couldn’t do any more damage. The 32-year-old won most of his aerial duels and held his positioning extremely well under the circumstances.

#2 Norwich play with confidence

Norwich fought incredibly well

Throughout the game, Norwich City put more pressure on Arsenal than the Premier League side put on them. They were well-drilled, organised, efficient, cohesive and fluid. The Norwich City manager Daniel Farke purposefully marched up and down the touchline all game, as his team seemed to follow his every instruction down to a tee.

Playing on the counter-attack, they carved open an Arsenal back three time and time again. The Canaries came to the Emirates and dominated from an attacking standpoint. Farke’s men had 43% possession and produced an amazing 13 shots on goal. The Championship side truly took the Europa League group toppers to their limit.

#1 A star is born: Edward Nketiah

Eddie Nketiah is a graduate of the Arsenal academy

It's funny how football works isn’t it? In a complete roll of the dice, Arsène Wenger decided to throw on 18-year-old Edward Nketiah for the 17-year-old Reiss Nelson. Within seconds of coming on the field, the English youngster was tapping in from 5 yards out to equalise for the Gunners. He was the quickest in the box to react to a ricochet and then poked it in emphatically.

With that goal, Edward Nketiah became the first player who wasn’t born when Arsène Wenger first came to the club, to score a competitive goal for Arsenal. Nonetheless, the youngster didn’t decide to stop there, he doubled his tally in the 6th minute of extra time. In the end, that would prove to be the deciding goal in a hotly contested affair.

The youngster was simply amazing in his cameo, he scored two, created chances and looked dangerous the whole time he was on the pitch. The 18-year-old evidently has a bright future ahead of him.