Steve Morison revelled in answering his critics as the striker's clinical late finish earned Norwich City a deserved point from a thrilling Emirates encounter with Arsenal.

The ex-Millwall man made it 10 for the season five minutes from time in an absorbing clash, although the Canaries' number five had feared the worst as within minutes of his introduction the Gunners turned City's 2-1 advantage on its head through PFA player of the season Robin van Persie's quick-fire brace.

But summer signing Morison – notching his first goal since the middle of January assisted by Jonny Howson's exquisite turn and dink – could barely contain his delight at firing the goal that brought City the point their effort and quality fully merited.

'It was an exciting game, wasn't it?' beamed Morison. 'It was good to be involved in and it was a great point in the end. I thought we deserved it.

'I had a lot of family here because I'm back home in a sense, north London. It was nice to come on and help the team get a point. And it was a great game.

'I couldn't believe it when I came on and they scored two straight away and you are thinking 'oh god', but we managed to keep fighting as we have done all season and we have come back and it is a good point.

'You come on and you want to help the team. Yes it was disappointing when we went 3-2 down but we kept going.'

The front man has endured criticism from some sections of the Norwich support since the turn of the year, and Morison hoped his contribution at Arsenal represented the perfect response – not that the striker is fussed by getting a tough time.

'It was great (to score),' said a smiling Morison. 'We will see how many people now ring up on Canary Call and say I'm the worst player to ever wear the Norwich shirt…

'It's fantastic. It shuts a few people up and we move on to the last game of the season and see how we go there.

'It's great fun – it is amazing some of the things people say and the stories people make up. People need something to talk about and I'm happy to be talked about.

'Yes you hear the grumbles and your frustrations might get the better of you sometimes, and you get the hump with it, but you move on.'

Saturday lunchtime's spectacle in north London was arguably a contender for game of the season in the top-flight – a six-goal thriller that put a major dent in Arsenal's Champions League qualification hopes.

But while his goal meant plenty to the Norwich faithful, Morison was just happy to take his chance and take his tally into double figures for the campaign.

'A goal is a goal – you want to score as many as you can and you enjoy every single goal you score,' he said. 'It was a sweet finish and obviously it was another goal that meant points for the team, and that's all important.

'You always want to score. You play up front. I couldn't care less if I was the worst player in the team and scored 20 goals, that's what you want.

'You could ask any striker that. You want to score goals and help the team pick up points. I managed to do that and it was a vital goal, and it sends yourself and the fans home happy.

'I knew what I wanted to do, I wanted to stick it inside the far post and I managed to do it. I think if I hadn't, Wilbraham would have had the hump because I could've just rolled it to him and he could have knocked it in as well.

'But it worked out and that's all you can do. We've only scored a couple goals in the last few games and the chances haven't been falling to us, but we were pretty clinical today.'

There were 60,000 in attendance for City's first visit to the impressive Emirates Stadium, and Morison saved the last word for the yellow pocket of Canaries supporters singing long beyond the home side's lap of appreciation.

He added: 'They were very good and behind the team the whole way, and you expect nothing less from the Norwich fans, to be honest.'

City boss Paul Lambert was also happy to see his striker answer his critics on Saturday: 'Yes, because I think he takes unfair criticism. His goals in the early part of the season put the club where we are as well, along with others.

'He's not long been out of non-league football, so he's been massive, Moro. The crowd will always have one person to go for, always. But he's never wilted, which shows great character. But I know what he's done for Norwich. He's been excellent.'