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.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
Martinelli is straight into the thick of the action, but his cross from the left is overhit. Luton try to get the ball forward but that attack fizzles out.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
The knee of Mengi went into the back of Martinelli, explaining the Brazilian's discomfort. After a bit of treatment, the Arsenal forward is back on the field.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
Mengi barges into the back of Martinelli, who goes to ground. There did not look to be a great deal in it on initial viewing, but the Arsenal physio is on the pitch.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
Rice sends the free-kick into a dangerous zone around the penalty spot, but a Luton player gets it clear. Barkley feels he is caught when trying to start a counter, but the referee disagrees.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
The visitors, as you would expect, have dominated possession in the early stages. Martinelli shows some great footwork and is wiped out by Townsend close to the touchline for an Arsenal free-kick.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
Arsenal get us up and running at Kenilworth Road! The Gunners are the strong favourites here, but Liverpool dropped two points here not so long ago.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
This is the first meeting between Luton Town and Arsenal in any competition since December 1991, with the Hatters prevailing 1-0 at Kenilworth Road. They would certainly take a repeat of that today in this tussle between sides with contrasting ambitions for the campaign. We are now just a few moments away from kick-off.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
Arsenal show three changes from their 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday. Two of those alterations come in defence - or more specifically at full-back - as White and Kiwior replace Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, the latter of whom is not in the squad. Havertz also returns to the starting line-up in place of the benched Trossard. Academy product Walters, yet to make his senior debut, is among the defensive cover on the bench.
Luton Town vs Arsenal
Edwards has made four changes to the Luton XI from their loss at Brentford three days ago. Brown has scored in his last two matches as a substitute and is handed a start in attack, while Adebayo is also restored to the frontline, with Ogbene and Morris dropping down to the bench. Former Tottenham winger Townsend and fit-again Doughty are the other two recalled players, taking the places of Chong and injured skipper Tom Lockyer, who is not in the squad.
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