Reserves 2-2 Norwich City - Match report

By Mo Khan

A deflected goal four minutes from time denied Arsenal Reserves victory over Norwich on Monday night at Barnet FC.

The visitors led after just three minutes when Andrew Fisk tapped home from close range. But Arsenal responded with two goals in two minutes just before the half-hour through Sebastian Larsson and then Fabrice Muamba with his first of the season.

However Rossi Jarvis forced an equaliser late on to grab a point for the Canaries.

Arsenal had made just one change from the side which lost at Southampton last week - Paul Rodgers replacing Carl Parisio who dropped to the bench.

The visitors may have taken the lead even earlier than they did after Muamba lost possession in midfield in the opening minute. But Ryan Jarvis scuffed his shot after being played through one-on-one with Vito Mannonne and the ball rolled harmlessly wide.

But just two minutes later, the Gunners were not so fortunate. Ryan Jarvis squared from the left to Peter Thorne and he in turn found Fisk who tip-toed his way past two defenders before coolly beating Mannonne.

Arsenal's first real chance of the half fell to Bendtner after seven minutes but his header from Giorgos Efrem's right-wing cross was tipped away at full stretch by Paul Gallagher in the Norwich goal.

The home side were now enjoying plenty possession without really threatening Gallagher's goal.

Then in the 27th minute, Bendtner won a free-kick on the edge of the Norwich area and Sebastian Larsson showed his time with first team is paying off as he took a quick free-kick - Thierry Henry style - to bring his side level.

A minute later, Arsenal, were in front. Bendtner knocked on a high ball forward and Muamba took it in his stride before finishing low and hard with his left foot.

Arsenal were nearly celebrating a third when Ryan Smith swung in a sumptuous cross from the left and the onrushing Bendtner met it with a powerful header but his effort flew just over.

The second half saw early chances for Arsenal to extend their advantage as Stokes saw his low shot tipped past the post by Gallagher and Efrem volleyed over from Larsson's wonderful scooped pass.

Stokes went close again just after the hour mark, exchanging passes with Bendtner before firing wide from close range.

The Canaries' goal was living a charmed life but in end it was Arsenal who were made to rue their missed chances as Rossi Jarvis' shot from the left of the penalty area took a wicked deflection and nestled in the top corner of Mannonne's net.

Arsenal still had one final effort on goal in them, and it came from an unlikely source - Sean Kelly. The centre-back let fly from 30 yards in the dying seconds, only to see his shot go wide.

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