Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table after Declan Rice netted a stoppage-time winner against Luton Town in a 4-3 victory on Tuesday evening.
Premier League
Result: Luton Town 3-4 Arsenal
Date: 05 December 2023
Venue: Kenilworth Road
The Gunners made three changes following their win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, as full-backs, Ben White and Jakub Kiwior were recalled while Kai Havertz was also brought in to join Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli upfront.
Mikel Arteta's charges saw more of the ball in the early exchanges and were clinical with their first chance on 20 minutes, as Martinelli opened the scoring with a strike in the box after a cut-back from Saka.
Luton responded five minutes later from a set-piece, as Gabriel Osho levelled matters with a good header in the box from a corner by Alfie Doughty.
Arsenal pressurized Luton after that as they asked questions and Jesus eventually gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of half-time with a header in the box after a teasing cross from White.
Luton had a perfect start in the second stanza as four minutes in, Elijah Adebayo levelled matters from another corner delivery by Doughty.
The Hatters had their tails up and Ross Barkley have them the lead just before the hour-mark with a well drilled shot in the box after he was played in by Andros Townsend.
In a see-saw game, Arsenal quickly levelled matters on the hour-mark after Havertz fired home a strike in the bottom corner from a cut-back by Jesus.
Looking to get back in front, Arteta made an attacking change with 25 minutes to go, as Leandro Trossard replaced Martinelli for fresh legs upfront.
The Gunners were threatening to get the winner in the closing stages, as they pinned back Luton in their own half and Havertz nearly snatched the winner in the last two minutes with a header that produced great reflexes from goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.
Arsenal's pressure finally paid off in virtually the last kick of the game in stoppage time, as Rice headed home a lofted cross by Havertz.
Arteta's men extended their lead at the top of the table to five points, having played an extra game.
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