Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Eddie Nketiah became an Arsenal hero as he saved the Gunners from an impending Carabao Cup exit on Tuesday night against Norwich.

The 18-year-old was released by Chelsea two years ago before being snapped up by Arsenal and made an astonishing impact in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup win over Norwich, coming off the bench to score the equaliser with his first touch, just 15 seconds after entering the pitch as an 85th minute substitute, before scoring the winning goal in extra time.

Nketiah was on the books at Chelsea for close to a decade as a youngster between 2008 and 2015, but was discarded in 2015 with the Premier League champions harbouring reservations about his height.

Speaking about his Arsenal exit, Nketiah said: “The day Arsenal showed interest in me was one the happiest days I can remember.

“It wasn’t only because I’ve always been an Arsenal fan, but two days earlier I was told I’d be released by Chelsea and would not earn a scholarship for the next season.

“I was so down but then Arsenal found out I was available.”