WITH Arsenal bringing a squad full of Arsene Wenger's young stars, many thought it would be they that shone, but it was Norwich forward Luke Daley that stole the limelight with a fine hat-trick firing City to a 4-2 victory at Carrow Road this evening.

The Gunners' line up featured seven players from the squad that beat Wigan Athletic in the Carling Cup a week ago and it was the visitors that took the lead.

In the fourth minute Emmanuel Frimpong's free-kick from 25 yards deflected off the wall, wrong-footing Stuart Nelson in the City goal. The Gunners looked to increase that lead with Amaury Bischoff. The midfielder rounded Nelson and looked for all the world to have a simple tap-in but Simon Lappin, a commanding figure in central defence made a fantastic goal-saving tackle.

City's first effort of the match came in the 21st minute from Josh Dawkin. The winger cut in from the right flank on to his left-foot but dragged his effort wide at the near post. Norwich almost levelled when Daley and Dawkin combined, the latter's shot was pounced upon by Robert Eagle whose shot was beaten away by the Arsenal keeper Vito Mannone.

City's efforts were rewarded a minute later when Eagle picked out Luke Daley at the back post. The striker coolly converted with a right-foot volley past the diving custodian.

Paul Stephenson's men were ahead half an hour in when Luke Daley latched on to Eagle's through-ball, Daley showed great pace and strength to beat Kyle Bartley to the ball with the Arsenal defender favourite. His toe-poked first effort rebounded off Italian 'keeper Mannone but Daley was alert to tap in the rebound.

Five minutes later City doubled their advantage, Dawkin was again involved down the right, his low centre was met by the sliding Tom Adeyemi. Mannone saved with his legs but Kris Renton was on hand to drive home the loose ball passed the flailing goalkeeper.

Half-Time: Norwich 3 Arsenal 1

The second half was only eight minutes old when Daley completed his hat-trick, tapping home from close range after Mannone could only parry Dawkin's shot into his path. Jay Simpson had two good chances in the space of five minutes to reduce the deficit but found Nelson in top form tipping both his efforts round the post.

Arsenal Reserve Team Manager Neil Banfield made a double change bringing on Giles Sunu and Tom Cruise, but it was misson impossible for the Gunners. Former City loanee Kieran Gibbs on his first return to Carrow Road found space behind the City defence on the left but he drove his shot into the side netting.

Jack Wilshere went on a mazy run with fifteen minutes left but Damon Lathrope forced him wide and his England U17 colleague Jed Steer made a good save. Bischoff ended the evening scoring a consolation goal for Arsenal in injury time, slamming home a left-foot volley from the edge of the box giving Steer no chance.

Full-Time: Norwich 4 Arsenal 2

City: Nelson (Steer 63), Francomb, Eagle, Adeyemi, Dumic, Lappin, Daley, Lathrope, Kienast (Habergham 18), Renton (Omoregie 90), Dawkin. Subs not used: Steer (GK), Clark, Stephens.

Arsenal: Mannone, Eastmond, Gibbs, Coquelin, Bartley, Ayling (Sunu 55), Wilshere, Frimpong, Simpson, Bischoff, Emmanuel-Thomas (Cruise 55). Subs not used: Shea (GK), Steer.

Att: 7,138