Lewis Grabban eyes Norwich City run after returning to side with goal against Arsenal

  • Norwich City held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road on Sunday 
  • Striker Lewis Grabban equalised for the home side to rescue a point
  • It was only Grabban's second start of the season after being suspended
  • Grabban refused to be a substitute in August as he pushed for move away
  • The 27-year-old was the subject of numerous failed bids by Bournemouth 

Lewis Grabban is targeting a run in the Norwich side after scoring the equaliser against Arsenal on his Barclays Premier League return.

The 27-year-old was on Sunday handed his first league start since the opening weekend of the season and is now firmly back in the first-team picture at Carrow Road.


His absence from Alex Neil's side came after he was suspended in August for refusing to be a substitute in a Capital One Cup tie at Rotherham.

Lewis Grabban (right) rescued a point for Norwich against Arsenal on Sunday with this cool finish

Lewis Grabban (right) rescued a point for Norwich against Arsenal on Sunday with this cool finish

Grabban (left) is congratulated by his team-mates after equalising for Norwich at Carrow Road

Grabban (left) is congratulated by his team-mates after equalising for Norwich at Carrow Road

Grabban had been subject to a number of rejected bids from former side Bournemouth but Neil took a firm line and he became a bit-part player as Cameron Jerome was installed as the Canaries' first-choice frontman.

The Norwich boss opted to recall Grabban for the visit of Arsenal despite the ex-Crystal Palace youngster not featuring in the two previous matchday squads and he was repaid as the striker tucked away an equaliser that earned the hosts a share of the spoils.

Neil said after the game that there are no ill feelings between the pair and Grabban is now keen to retain his place for next weekend's trip to Watford.

'Every player wants to stay in the team and scoring gives me a bigger chance to do that,' he told the club's official website.

Alex Neil suspended Grabban in August after he refused to to be named as a substitute for League Cup clash

Alex Neil suspended Grabban in August after he refused to to be named as a substitute for League Cup clash

Grabban (fourth left) is mobbed by his team-mates and he is now targeting a run in the Norwich team

Grabban (fourth left) is mobbed by his team-mates and he is now targeting a run in the Norwich team

'The manager has been fine so I've just been working hard to get back into the team. Hopefully I can now move forward and the team can look forward to the next game.

'Getting the point was the most important thing for us. We need to keep collecting points to move up the table and secure our place in this league. It's a good day for us, and I'm happy to score on my first game back.

'The fans are here to support the team, whoever is in the XI. It's our job as a group now to go to Watford and perform against them.'