“Declan Rice’s stoppage-time header secured an exhilarating 4-3 triumph for Arsenal against Luton Town, extending their lead by five points at the top of the Premier League on Tuesday.
Despite facing a spirited and direct Luton side, Arsenal’s winless streak at Kenilworth Road seemed set to continue, stretching to 11 games. However, in the dying moments of stoppage time, Rice found space to nod in a decisive header.
The late goal brought jubilation for the visitors, marking their fourth consecutive league victory. Meanwhile, it was heartbreak for an audacious Luton side that twice fought back to take the lead in the early stages of the second half.
Arsenal has now gained nine additional points this season from goals scored in the last five minutes of games.
“Luton is a top side, and they can’t be overlooked in this league for the quality they have,” Rice told Amazon Prime. “To score in the last minute and keep the momentum building, it’s massive for us. Those are the moments you look back on. What a game. To score the winner is an honor.”
Arsenal stands at 36 points from 15 games, with Liverpool at 31 and defending champions Manchester City at 30 before their matches against Sheffield United and Aston Villa, respectively, on Wednesday.
After a weekend of high-scoring encounters, the first 20 minutes at Kenilworth Road were uneventful. However, the game exploded into life as Gabriel Martinelli scored from a quick throw-in, and Luton responded with Gabriel Osho’s header.
Arsenal took the lead again before halftime with Gabriel Jesus heading in Ben White’s cross. Luton then stunned Arsenal early in the second half, with Elijah Adebayo and Ross Barkley scoring. Kai Havertz equalized for Arsenal, but Luton seemed to secure a draw until Rice’s last-minute header.
“Incredible evening. First of all, congratulations to Luton, their players, staff, the atmosphere they created made it a special night to play football and they made it very hard for us,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “They are so good at set pieces, and they made us really fight for the game, and at the end, it was a beautiful win.”
Luton remains fourth from bottom with nine points, and while the defeat stings, manager Rob Edwards expressed pride in his players who gave Arsenal a real scare. “Arsenal wanted a game of order, and we made it chaotic at times,” Edwards said. “I don’t think that has ever happened to me, conceding that late to lose a game, so I’m flat right now.”