Neil Banfield's young Arsenal reserve-team attracted over 7,000 fans for a FRIENDLY on Tuesday night against Norwich City.

Gunners reserve-team boss Banfield told arsenal.com: "When we used to play them in the Reserve League it was like that. They have good supporters down at Norwich. It is nice for them to play in front of a bit of a crowd. It's a nice stadium and there were a lot of people there so I think they enjoyed it.

"I think the Carling Cup is a big element without a doubt. Arsenal have a lot of supporters in that part of the country as well. I think it is a combination of the publicity we have had after the Carling Cup and people wanting to come and support the Arsenal youngsters."

With many of his players away on U21 international duty, Banfield was only able to field Jack Wilshere, Jay Simpson and Kieran Gibbs from the team that started last week's Carling Cup triumph against Wigan. Norwich won 4-2, thanks mainly to a Luke Daley hat-trick.