Published By: Ritayan Basu
Last Updated: December 06, 2023, 07:05 IST
Premier League: Arsenal’s Declan Rice towards Luton Town (AP)
Declan Rice’s header deep in stoppage time sealed an enthralling 4-3 victory for Arsenal at lowly Luton Town to ship them 5 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League.
Arsenal moved 5 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League after Declan Rice’s final-gasp objective capped the leaders’ thrilling fightback in their 4-3 win towards Luton on Tuesday.
Rocked by a pair of pricey blunders from keeper David Raya, Mikel Arteta’s facet trailed 3-2 in the second half of a pulsating conflict at Kenilworth Road.
But Arsenal roared again to consolidate their lead on the prime of the desk due to Kai Havertz’s equaliser and Rice’s header deep into stoppage-time.
The wild celebrations from Arteta and his gamers underlined the importance of a gritty escape that can gasoline the idea Arsenal can lastly win their first title since 2004.
“I’m so happy. We knew it would be a big battle here, we made it hard for ourselves the way we conceded the goals,” Arteta mentioned.
“The spirit of the team, how we fought, showed our quality in the right moments and never gave up. We went for it and got our rewards today.
“Big compliments to Luton, it was a tough night. I’ve spoken with the team, and they are all jumping.”
Gabriel Martinelli had opened the scoring for Arsenal, with Luton’s Gabriel Osho equalising and Gabriel Jesus restoring the guests’ benefit simply earlier than half-time.
Elijah Adebayo scored Luton’s second equaliser quickly after half-time due to the primary of Raya’s errors and Ross Barkley benefitted from one other error from the Spaniard.
But England midfielder Rice had the final phrase to offer Arsenal six successive wins in all competitions since their controversial VAR-aided defeat at Newcastle.
Second-placed Liverpool can shut again to inside two factors of Arsenal in the event that they win at backside-of-the-desk Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Arteta’s males have been highway warriors for the reason that begin of final season – profitable 17 away video games in that interval — and the Gunners’ first journey to Kenilworth Road for 32 years introduced their first victory on the venue since 1984.
They struck first in the twentieth minute when Bukayo Saka weaved his means down the appropriate flank for a low cross that Martinelli met with a scuffed end into the underside nook from 12 yards.
Rice to the rescue
Undone by a effectively-labored nook routine, Arsenal have been left flat-footed 5 minutes later as Osho discovered area to thump his header previous Raya from 10 yards for his first Premier League objective.
Jesus put Arsenal again forward on the stroke of half-time with a detailed-vary header from Ben White’s looping cross.
Luton’s set-piece prowess offered one other plot twist in the forty ninth minute when Adebayo rose highest to move dwelling from shut-vary after Raya flapped at Alfie Doughty’s nook.
Rob Edwards’ facet lead the Premier League in set-piece objectives this season, with over 50 % coming from free-kicks, corners and penalties.
The Hatters had no must unleash their lifeless-ball excellence as they grabbed a 3rd objective thanks to a different Raya blunder in the 57th minute.
Former Chelsea midfielder Barkley glided away from White inside the world for a low shot that squirmed beneath Raya’s weak tried save.
But Arsenal have been degree once more simply three minutes later by way of Havertz, who poked dwelling from shut-vary after Jesus confirmed spectacular energy to carry off his marker earlier than selecting out the German’s run.
Showing the fortitude of potential champions, Arsenal saved pushing for the winner and accomplished their spirited fightback in the seventh minute of stoppage-time.
Rice met Martin Odegaard’s cross with a glancing header that nestled in the far nook as Arteta danced a jig of enjoyment on the touchline.
In Tuesday’s different recreation, Hwang Hee-chan sealed Wolves’ 1-0 win towards Burnley at Molineux.
Hwang’s ninth objective of the season settled the affair when he netted in the forty second minute, teed up by Matheus Cunha after Burnley surrendered possession too simply.
Burnley stay second backside after an eighth defeat in their final 9 video games, whereas Wolves, who recorded a primary clear-sheet since August, climb to twelfth place.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
