Arsenal dropped two crucial points to cast doubt over their Champions League hopes for next season after a late goal from Steve Morison saw Norwich secure a 3-3 Barclays Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Substitute Morison earned the Canaries a well-deserved point after Gunners skipper Robin van Persie had earlier looked to have salvaged a win for the hosts.
Yossi Benayoun opened the scoring after just one minute and six seconds but the visitors pulled things level through Wes Hoolahan after a blunder from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Grant Holt then handed the Canaries a 2-1 lead going into the break after lifting a deflected shot over Szczesny in the 26th minute.
Captain Van Persie came to the Gunners' rescue in the second half, notching an impressive double, but Norwich were rewarded for a solid performance late on when Morison netted to hand them a share of the spoils.
Arsene Wenger's men are now in danger of being overtaken in the race for the Champions League, sitting just two points clear of nearest rivals Tottenham and Newcastle, who play on Sunday.
The Gunners chief was frustrated after the match.
"It is more than frustrating because we were very poor in the first half, not switched on," Wenger added.
"The quality of our first half was absolutely not at the level we wanted to play in a decisive game like that.
"In the second half we did very well and created at least 10 chances, but again we did not take our chances.
"On top of that we gave them a third goal in a situation that was absolutely unbelievable. In the end we got punished for our mistakes.
"We have to analyse the reasons why we were not sharp enough in the first half.
"There is no obvious reason because we prepared normally as we always do, and maybe subconsciously we would win it.
"Norwich played well, you have to give them credit, they did well."
Norwich boss Paul Lambert, meanwhile, felt Saturday afternoon was his side's best display of what has been a fine campaign back in the top flight.
He said: "The football we played was as good as any in my time. I thought we surpassed the win at Spurs, we were brilliant.
"But we do not know any other way to go out and play, we might get turned over at times, but we will always try to win.
"The team performance was first class. We certainly deserved something."
Substitute Morison earned the Canaries a well-deserved point after Gunners skipper Robin van Persie had earlier looked to have salvaged a win for the hosts.
Yossi Benayoun opened the scoring after just one minute and six seconds but the visitors pulled things level through Wes Hoolahan after a blunder from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Grant Holt then handed the Canaries a 2-1 lead going into the break after lifting a deflected shot over Szczesny in the 26th minute.
Captain Van Persie came to the Gunners' rescue in the second half, notching an impressive double, but Norwich were rewarded for a solid performance late on when Morison netted to hand them a share of the spoils.
Arsene Wenger's men are now in danger of being overtaken in the race for the Champions League, sitting just two points clear of nearest rivals Tottenham and Newcastle, who play on Sunday.
The Gunners chief was frustrated after the match.
"It is more than frustrating because we were very poor in the first half, not switched on," Wenger added.
"The quality of our first half was absolutely not at the level we wanted to play in a decisive game like that.
"In the second half we did very well and created at least 10 chances, but again we did not take our chances.
"On top of that we gave them a third goal in a situation that was absolutely unbelievable. In the end we got punished for our mistakes.
"We have to analyse the reasons why we were not sharp enough in the first half.
"There is no obvious reason because we prepared normally as we always do, and maybe subconsciously we would win it.
"Norwich played well, you have to give them credit, they did well."
Norwich boss Paul Lambert, meanwhile, felt Saturday afternoon was his side's best display of what has been a fine campaign back in the top flight.
He said: "The football we played was as good as any in my time. I thought we surpassed the win at Spurs, we were brilliant.
"But we do not know any other way to go out and play, we might get turned over at times, but we will always try to win.
"The team performance was first class. We certainly deserved something."