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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

Luke Baker
Tuesday 05 December 2023 22:48 GMT
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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.

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Luton Town vs Arsenal

CHANCE! Saka is involved in everything at the moment. He wins the ball and cuts in between Bell and Morris, before tapping it into the path of Trossard. The substitute has a small part of the goal to aim for, but his effort deflects over the bar.

5 December 2023 21:54
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Luton Town vs Arsenal

Saka gets a yard on Bell, but the cross is cut out for a corner. The Arsenal forward sends it under the crossbar, but it is a player in orange who gets on the end of it.

5 December 2023 21:53
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Luton Town vs Arsenal

SAVE! Odegaard gets a shot on target from 20 yards, which is a nice one for Kaminski to keep out down to his right. The Gunners possibly starting to turn the screw here.

5 December 2023 21:52
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Odegaard is picked out by White from a throw but is not really able to do anything with the ball inside the box. Arsenal are still on top, but they are not exactly creating anything of note.

5 December 2023 21:51
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Saka is being targeted constantly now, with Doughty the latest to take him out from behind. Luton are not afraid to get in their opponents' faces, and it is paying off for now.

5 December 2023 21:49
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Luton Town vs Arsenal

Arsenal have had seven shots on target to Luton's four. The hosts' latest effort, via Mpanzu, is well off target from range. Saka is in a bit of pain after being caught by Bell.

5 December 2023 21:47
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Jesus initially gets away from Bell, and the Luton defender has to be careful not to bring down his opponent. However, Jesus rather comically hits the ball out of play off his own leg.

5 December 2023 21:46
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Luton seem a little happier to sit back now, leaving just Morris up top. Arsenal have plenty of time to find a winner here, but they must be wary of the counter.

5 December 2023 21:46
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Arsenal, for the first time this half, have a little control. Arteta's men have scored three times and yet they are still not ahead.

5 December 2023 21:44
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There has not been a great deal of note happening since Arsenal's equaliser, not helped by the disruption brought about by those five substitutions.

5 December 2023 21:43

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