It was the day when little old Norwich City just wouldn’t go away.
Chasing a Champions League place, Arsenal thought they had fought off a plucky challenge from the Canaries, who had the temerity to go 2-1 up after goals from Wes Hoolahan and Grant Holt cancelled out Yossi Benayoun’s opener.
A Robin van Persie brace looked to have got Arsene Wenger’s men out of jail but this Canaries vintage under Paul Lambert had a bite to it.
With five minutes remaining Steve Morison produced an unerring finish to rescue a point and put a dent in the Gunners’ Champions League hopes.
It was arguably the high point of Lambert’s time as manager but it was undoubtedly the zenith of Morison’s City career.
The man, bought from Millwall the previous summer, enjoyed a tetchy relationship with City fans but the striker played his part with 11 goals during a campaign when Norwich were expected to be relegation fodder.
MORE: Arsenal set to rotate stars for League Cup clash“It was one of my favourite moments during my time at Norwich,” said the now 34-year-old. “It was a sweet moment because it was on the back of not getting a lot of game time but to come on and get the goal with one of my first touches was a great moment.”
Morison played a pivotal role in City’s first season back in the Premier League under Lambert and his eye for goal and relentless workrate went a long way to helping finish comfortably away from the relegation zone.
But after falling out of favour under Chris Hughton, Morison was eventually sold to Leeds in a swap deal that saw Luciano Becchio come in the other direction.
However, the former Stevenage frontman will always be grateful to the Canaries for giving him the chance to play against the elite of English football.
“I had a great time under Paul Lambert and it was great to be part of that squad that stayed up comfortably. I scored some important goals and it was great to play in the Premier League.
MORE: Odds stacked against Norwich City, but don’t tell Daniel Farke“The next season was more frustrating under Chris Hughton because I was on the bench more and just when I thought I was going to get a chance I got a bad injury.
“Next thing I know I’m out the door but these things happen in football.”
Some City fans were glad to see the back of Morison, but they will always be grateful for that moment against the Gunners.
What they would give for another moment in north London on Tuesday evening…
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