Van persie's double not enough to ensure arsenal a win

Even Robin van Persie, who has intervened on so many dramatic occasions, could not conjure the final touch to keep Arsenal's Champions League destiny in their own hands in a tumultuous,

at times tempestuous, lunchtime encounter with Norwich City. Even Robin van Persie, who has intervened on so many dramatic occasions, could not conjure the final touch to keep

Arsenal's Champions League destiny in their own hands in a tumultuous, at times tempestuous, lunchtime encounter with Norwich City. The Dutch striker, whose Emirates future remains in

the balance, inspired a stunning turnaround with two goals in eight late minutes to point Arsenal towards a top-three finish and a place in next season's European showpiece. Yet the

victory Arsenal needed to remain in control of their destiny was snatched away by Norwich substitute Steve Morison five minutes from the end. Van Persie then drilled a close-range shot

against heroic Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy and became entangled with Kyle Naughton when about to convert Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross in the frantic finale. Even victory in their

final match of the season, at West Bromwich next weekend, will not be enough if Tottenham and Newcastle win their remaining outings, leaving Arsenal to contemplate Thursday night action in

the Europa League, surely a highly unappetising prospect for Van Persie as he considers his future. Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, said: "We were not sharp enough in the first

half. In the second half we created at least 10 chances but again not only did we not take our chances but we gave them a goal in a situation that was absolutely unbelievable. There were

five or six mistakes there. But Norwich played well." Yet how easy it had all seemed, simply the prelude to an end-of-season parade, in the early moments. The clock had barely ticked

into the second minute when Arsenal struck. Tomas Rosicky fed Yossi Benayoun, who marked his 32nd birthday with an elegantly-flighted right-footed effort far beyond Ruddy's reach.

Arriving on a sequence of three successive defeats, surely Norwich would now be little more than spectators. How wrong. Paul Lambert's side responded magnificently, quickly rolling out

their devastating counter-attacking game plan. Both Simeon Jackson and Wes Hoolahan found huge gaps behind the Arsenal midfield, attacking full-back Kyle Naughton provided a rampaging option

on the right flank and burly, bustling Grant Holt created havoc in the home rearguard. And they were soon level, Jackson finding Naughton, whose cross dropped for Hoolahan. Even though the

Norwich midfielder's shot lacked serious pace, the ball still squirmed through goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny's grasp. There was worse, much worse, to come for Arsenal. Suddenly

afflicted by the old uncertainties and anxieties, Wenger's side looked increasingly vulnerable and were cut apart again, in the 27th minute. Hoolahan launched another break, Arsenal

found themselves outnumbered at the back and when the ball was moved on to Holt, the striker's shot took a significant deflection off Kieran Gibbs to drop past Szczesny. Soon afterwards

Bacary Sagna departed on a stretcher with a suspected broken fibula that could rule him out of France's Euro 2012 squad, and there was no lessening the discomfort for his team-mates as

Arsenal survived two penalty appeals before the break. Arsenal thought they had found salvation in Van Persie's two strikes, firstly from Alex Song's chip and then when the ball

fell for him after bouncing off Anthony Pilkington. The goals not only helped Van Persie equal Thierry Henry's Arsenal club record of 30 Premier League goals in one season but appeared

to put Wenger's side firmly into third place. Yet a remarkable match had one final twist as Arsenal's defensive deficiencies came back to haunt them. The unmarked Morison was given

time and space to roll a shot into the far corner of Szczesny's net with five minutes remaining. Van Persie could have won a penalty for Naughton's injury-time nudge but the

visitors held on. "We deserved something, I thought we were brilliant," said a proud Lambert.