John Ruddy was happy to share the credit for Norwich City's resolve with his defenders as they left the Emirates Stadium with a deserved point.

The Canaries arguably had enough chances to have taken more from a superb game, while Arsenal's talismanic striker Robin van Persie also looked on the verge on delivering three points for Arsene Wenger's side.

It made for a thrilling contest – although Ruddy admitted it was harder to enjoy from his viewpoint.

'It was probably a great game for the neutral – maybe not so much for us after conceding three, but when you're up against a quality team like Arsenal then it's never going to be an easy day,' said the Norwich goalkeeper.

'I thought everyone was exceptional right across the back. Naughts (Kyle Naughton) did today what he's done all season, same as Ryan Bennett since he's come in. He put in some unbelievable blocks along with Russ (Russell Martin), who was steady as ever.

'And Lapps (Simon Lappin) coming in almost out of the wilderness, and putting in a performance like that, just shows how professional he is and sums him up as a character. I thought it was exceptional from all the back four.'

Steve Morison's equaliser came with five minutes to go – from that point on, it was a backs to the wall effort from City as Naughton did enough to put off Van Persie from close range, while Ruddy got in the way of a succession of Arsenal chances that included a late effort from former Norwich loanee Kieran Gibbs.

'I just tried to make myself as big as I could and it's hit me in the face – but I'll take one of those every game if it means holding on and getting a point,' said Ruddy.

'I thought that was the only thing I could do in that situation. I don't know how far away from goal he was, about six yards maybe, but it's just about trying to get to him as quick as you can.

'I tried to do the same thing with Van Persie for his second and I was unfortunate it just hit the bottom of my hand and skipped into the net, where on another day it might hit my hand on the full and come out.

'It's nice to make saves and a lot of them today were in and around my feet, and reaction saves more than anything.

'I think you've got to give honourable mentions to Russell and Ryan for the blocks they made and right at the death, when Kyle Naughton stopped Van Persie getting on the end of that cross, I thought that was an unbelievable piece of defending and it sums up how solid we were.'

Solid indeed, but also with a noticeable attacking intent. Add to that mix the fact City had to bounce back from going 1-0 down inside 70 seconds and then being 3-2 down with five minutes left, and the Canaries once again showed the character that has defined three years of being upwardly mobile.

'It sums up what were about,' acknowledged Ruddy. 'A lot of people have questioned us over the last few games about taking our foot off the pedal and stuff, but I think you can see from today... Going down to an early goal wasn't ideal, but the spirit we have shown, which we have shown for the last two years and people have never questioned, was there for all to see.

'To come back to take a 2-1 lead into half-time was and achievement in itself.'

With 60,000 fans packed into the Emirates for Norwich's first visit to the Gunners' new home, the City keeper confirmed Saturday was exactly why the Canaries have fought so hard to make a return trip in the Premier League next season.

'To a man we were all looking forward to coming to the Emirates Stadium all season,' said Ruddy. 'Everyone sees it on TV but until you get here you don't really realise how nice it is. The grass is immaculate and if you can't play football on this surface you can't play football full-stop.

'It's fantastic to be coming away from places like that with a point and it's onwards to next week now and hopefully, finish the season with and even bigger high with three points.'