Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger predicted a bright future for teenager Edward Nketiah after his two goals helped the Gunners edge past Championship side Norwich City in extra time to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Substitute Nketiah, 18, scored twice after Norwich had taken the lead when James Maddison’s pass released Josh Murphy, who dinked a shot past Gunners debutant goalkeeper Matt Macey. The Canaries, sixth in the second tier, had chances to make it 2-0, but Macey pushed away Nelson Oliveira’s curled effort with Murphy and Mario Vrancic also missing chances.
Those misses proved crucial as Nketiah grabbed a late equaliser from close range only 15 seconds after coming on to leave it level after 90 minutes. The England Under-19 international then headed in from Mohamed Elneny’s corner for the winner. The 18-year-old former Chelsea youth player is the first player born since Wenger started his reign as Arsenal boss in 1996 to score for the club. The England Under-19 international then headed in from Mohamed Elneny’s corner for the winner. The 18-year-old former Chelsea youth player is the first player born since Wenger started his reign as Arsenal boss in 1996 to score for the club.
The second goal for the hosts came in the 96th minute through a powerful Nketiah header from Elneny’s fine delivery. Nketiah had a chance for a hat-trick, but Angus Gunn produced a fine save. Even though Canaries wanted a late penalty after Debuchy clashed with James Husband, Arsenal held on. The draw for the quarter-finals will take place at 16:00 BST on Wednesday, 25 October.