Chris Hughton took sole responsibility for Arsenal's late blitz in Norwich City's 4-1 Premier League defeat at the Emirates.

The Canaries' chief went all out to salvage at least a point with the introduction of Nathan Redmond in the aftermath of Jonny Howson's 70th minute strike which had reduced the deficit.

But Arsenal's attacking players exploited the space as the game became increasingly stretched to punish the visitors with Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil easing the table-topping Gunners to victory after Jack Wilshere and Ozil looked to have earlier put the hosts in control. Wilshere's opening strike finished a mesmerising team move whilst Ramsey's individual brilliance in the closing stages merely underlined Arsene Wenger's multi-national squad appear genuine title challengers.

'We had some really good periods and what happens at 2-1 when we are back in it, I almost have to take responsibility for the performance because we opened up a bit,' said Hughton. 'As for the first goal I think there aren't many teams that can score that type of goal although if I looked at that goal it was from a ball we gave away high up the pitch. We had to be better at that. But overall, the biggest disappointment for me is that I don't think 4-1 is a true reflection of the balance of play.

'They certainly have got the squad to sustain this. They are a side that can score goals. There are a lot of positives in our last two games though and our level of performance have been good.'

Wenger paid a glowing tribute to the Canaries who enjoyed decent spells of possession either side of the interval.

'We won 4-1 and their keeper had a good game, but Norwich played well, so it is strange,' he said. 'They made it difficult for us and we struggled between 30 and 60 minutes to keep our game going. I would come out of the match thinking Norwich were a good team. All the goals were great, but the first was exceptional and improvised. It was certainly one of the best (Arsenal) goals, ones I enjoyed the most because it was a team goal. It had combinations and speed which you would always like your team to play, this one was a mixture of technical quality, speedy thinking, quick reaction and as well being calm in front of goal. It had nearly everything you want to have, it was a great goal.'