Luton Town 3-4 Arsenal: Last-gasp Declan Rice goal snatches win for Gunners in seven-goal thriller

Declan Rice’s last-gasp header snatched victory for Arsenal in a seven-goal thriller at Luton to maneuver them 5 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League.

However, the Hatters have been denied a helpful level when Rice met Martin Odegaard’s cross in the seventh minute of stoppage time, 23 seconds after the six official minutes added on had expired.

Arsenal had dominated a largely uneventful opening to a recreation which sparked into life when Gabriel Martinelli steered Bukayo Saka’s go into the bottom-left nook.

Gabriel Osho’s header from Alfie Doughty’s nook introduced the hosts degree shortly after, however when Gabriel Jesus nodded in Ben White’s cross from shut vary the Gunners seemed to have regained management.

But in a chaotic interval after the interval, the league’s greatest defence abruptly appeared flustered with Adebayo leaping above Raya to move in one other Doughty supply from a nook.

And with Luton in the ascendency, Barkley collected an Andros Townsend go and beat White earlier than driving a low left-foot shot below Raya.

The momentum swung again in the direction of Mikel Arteta’s aspect when Kai Havertz prodded in from the spectacular Jesus’ go to equalise, however Luton seemed to have held the guests at bay till Rice’s dramatic intervention.

The outcome leaves Luton seventeenth, two factors above the relegation zone. Second-placed Liverpool, 5 factors adrift of Arsenal, play their recreation in hand at Sheffield United on Wednesday (19:30 GMT), whereas Manchester City, some extent additional again, are at fourth-placed Aston Villa (20:15).

Jesus stars as Raya blunders rekindle goalkeeper debate

Arsenal have now received their previous six matches in all competitions however there have been clear positives and negatives to take from this newest success.

Jesus underlined his significance to Arteta’s aspect with an excellent contribution that noticed him have a hand in two objectives and rating one other.

The Brazil ahead’s fast pondering caught Doughty out for Arsenal’s first goal, whereas his physicality and completely weighted go gave Havertz the only alternative to degree at 3-3.

While he has solely scored two Premier League objectives this season, his affect is vital. He has not misplaced any of the 58 video games in which he has scored and the Gunners might want to hold him match if they’re to remain the course in the title race.

On the flipside Arteta’s crew had conceded simply three league objectives on their travels earlier than kick-off, however they go away Bedfordshire with that tally having doubled.

All three appeared preventable, with Martinelli standing and watching as Osho bought Luton again on observe for the primary time in the night.

The efficiency of Raya will even undoubtedly add additional scrutiny to Arteta’s resolution to choose his fellow Spaniard as first-choice goalkeeper to England stopper Aaron Ramsdale.

Gallant Luton go shut

For Luton, this was one other event after they got here so near delivering a outcome their followers might solely have dreamed of on their lengthy climb again up the English soccer pyramid.

While Luton famously beat the Gunners in the 1988 League Cup ultimate, Andros Townsend was the one participant in their beginning XI on Tuesday to have been born when the golf equipment final met in the English prime flight 32 years in the past.

Their draw against Liverpool in November confirmed precisely what they’re able to towards the Premier League large boys, and on one other night time they might have secured at the very least some extent for their endeavours.

Barkley excelled in midfield and each Teden Mengi and goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski impressed for Rob Edwards’ aspect, who additionally face Manchester City, Newcastle and Chelsea at residence earlier than the tip of the 12 months.

Player of the match

Gabriel MartinelliGabriel Martinelli

Luton Town

1. Squad quantity6Player identifyBarkley

2. Squad quantity45Player identifyDoughty

3. Squad quantity7Player identifyOgbene

4. Squad quantity19Player identifyBrown

5. Squad quantity2Player identifyOsho

6. Squad quantity30Player identifyTownsend

7. Squad quantity11Player identifyAdebayo

8. Squad quantity15Player identifyMengi

9. Squad quantity17Player identifyMpanzu

10. Squad quantity14Player identifyChong

11. Squad quantity12Player identifyKaboré

12. Squad quantity29Player identifyBell

13. Squad quantity24Player identifyKaminski

14. Squad quantity9Player identifyMorris

15. Squad quantity18Player identifyClark

16. Squad quantity26Player identifyGiles