Luton Town vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Declan Rice nets late winner
Luton 3-4 Arsenal: Rice’s last-gasp winner puts the Gunners five points clear
Declan Rice scored a last-gasp winner to settle a seven-goal thriller at Luton, sparing the blushes of goalkeeper David Raya to send Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Luton had looked on course to land a thoroughly deserved draw after two errors from Raya had seen them hit the front - only for the Gunners to rally and win it 4-3 at the death.
Raya embraced Rice at the full-time whistle after Kai Havertz had earlier drawn the visitors level in what proved to be a thrilling contest at Kenilworth Road.
The visitors had led 2-1 at half-time as Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus scored either side of a Gabriel Osho equaliser.
Raya, whose role as Arteta’s number one continues to be in the spotlight with Aaron Ramsdale warming the bench, then gifted two goals to Luton in the space of eight minutes as Elijah Adebayo and Ross Barkley turned the game on its head.
Havertz appeared to have salvaged a point for Arsenal but they pushed on to the last and £105million summer signing Rice nodded in a fine Martin Odegaard cross to wrap up the victory.
Arsenal’s chaotic nature brings late drama against Luton and a possible route to the Premier League title
If this is at last to be Arsenal’s year, it will have been because of moments like this. Only bolstering their confidence is that this was just the latest. Declan Rice scored a 97th-minute header for the Premier League leaders to plunder a 4-3 win over a doughty Luton Town team who will feel they deserved more. They again gave the competition an awful lot here. This was just the latest in a series of these chaotically entertaining games - many of them 4-3 - on which the Premier League has sold another multi-billion broadcast deal.
It was also the latest in a series of psychologically crucial late victories for Mikel Arteta’s side, whatever about the importance in the table. This was the fifth time they had scored a game-changing goal after the 84th minute in just 15 league games this season. It was also the second time they had done it in three weeks. Arsenal, as against Brentford, won by a nose.
Luton Town more than made them work for it. Arsenal felt the pain, quite literally after some challenges, before they felt the joy.
Arsenal’s chaotic nature brings late drama against Luton and a route to the title
Luton Town 3-4 Arsenal: Declan Rice’s stoppage time winner denied the Hatters a deserved point
Luton Town vs Arsenal
Arsenal win a thrilling Premier League contest 4-3 at Kenilworth Road to move five points clear at the summit ahead of the chasing pack playing later in the week. Martinelli and Jesus scored either side of Osho's equaliser to put the visitors ahead at the break, but Adebayo headed home early in the second half to level up. Barkley put Town in front, only for Havertz to equaliser on the hour and Rice to win it right at the very death. Just how big a result could that be at both ends of the table come the end of the season? Luton now have five days to get this loss out of their system before hosting Manchester City, while Arsenal - who will lead the table regardless going into the weekend - travel to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
We have played the six minutes of added time. Surely there is not one more late chance for the visitors - or indeed the hosts?
Luton Town vs Arsenal
Another Arsenal corner comes to nothing. Luton are standing firm, as Saka's latest cross is not met by one of his team-mates.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
Luton supporters are urging their side over the line now. What a massive point this would be in their fight for survival. White's low cross from the right hits Ogbene for a late Arsenal corner...
Luton Town vs Arsenal
Arsenal win themselves another corner in the second minute of added time. Saka delivers and Osho heads away. Trossard's shot from range is then blocked by Chong.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments