Farke proud of 'brilliant' Norwich City performance in EFL Cup defeat at Arsenal

Norwich City's players salute their fans after the final whistle. Credit: EMPICS Sport

  • Arsenal 2-1 Norwich City

Norwich City Head Coach Daniel Farke admitted he couldn't fault his team's performance after the Canaries took Premier League giants Arsenal to extra-time in the EFL Cup.

The Championship side had led for much of the game courtesy of Josh Murphy's first-half strike, but teenager Edward Nketiah equalised late on with his first touch after coming on as a substitute to force an additional 30 minutes.

Nketiah then got the winner in extra-time to break Norwich's hearts, but despite ultimately falling just short, Farke said his players had done everyone connected with the club proud.

18-year-old Edward Nketiah was Arsenal's match-winner. Credit: EMPICS Sport

"I'm very proud because it was a brilliant performance," Farke said.

"We totally deserved to be in the next round. The guys are sitting in the dressing room pretty disappointed; some of them have tears in their eyes.

"I have just compliments for my lads. They were brilliant and I'm really proud.

"We have to accept the loss. We will concentrate on what we could do better."

Norwich could have put the game out of sight in the second-half had Murphy and Mario Vrančić not missed gilt-edged chances, while they also had a strong shout for a penalty when Mathieu Debuchy looked to have pulled down James Husband.

Josh Murphy celebrates putting Norwich City ahead at The Emirates. Credit: EMPICS Sport

The majority of the 8,800-strong travelling support at The Emirates stayed to applaud the Canaries' efforts after the final whistle, and Farke is confident the club will be able to look forward to more memorable nights together in the future.

"It's important to stand together with a good attitude and a big will," said Farke.

"Sometimes you don't get what you deserve immediately. When you work with this attitude, you will go on to have bigger parties than the one we would have had if we'd won today.

"The atmosphere is brilliant. We gave everything in extra-time and we are 100 per cent sad and disappointed.

"When we go further on with this attitude, we will have some big nights and big parties during this year, I am 100 per cent sure."

Norwich were just minutes away from causing an upset. Credit: EMPICS Sport

Norwich return to Championship action on Saturday when they host Derby County at Carrow Road, before taking on league leaders Wolves three days later.