Van Persie brace not enough for Arsenal

Arsenal 3 Norwich 3

Robin van Persie’s heroics were not enough to prevent Arsenal suffering a major blow to their Champions League ambitions following a dramatic 3-3 home draw with Norwich this afternoon.

Van Persie looked to have sealed a valuable comeback win when he levelled Thierry Henry’s Arsenal record of 30 goals in a Barclays Premier League season with a late double.

But substitute Steve Morison levelled after 85 minutes and, in a pulsating end, Van Persie was denied what appeared a clear penalty, to leave the third-placed Gunners just two points ahead of Tottenham and Newcastle.

The result was just about what Norwich deserved, though, as they had led through first-half goals from Wes Hoolahan and Grant Holt after Yossi Benayoun’s second-minute opener.

Full report to follow.