Published By: Ritayan Basu
Last Updated: December 06, 2023, 07:05 IST
Premier League: Arsenal’s Declan Rice in opposition to 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 last-gasp aim capped the leaders’ thrilling fightback of their 4-3 win in opposition to Luton on Tuesday.
Rocked by a pair of expensive blunders from keeper David Raya, Mikel Arteta’s facet trailed 3-2 within the second half of a pulsating conflict at Kenilworth Road.
But Arsenal roared again to consolidate their lead on the prime of the desk because of 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 may gas 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 stated.
“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 because of 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 bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Arteta’s males have been street 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 within the twentieth minute when Bukayo Saka weaved his approach down the fitting 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 well-worked nook routine, Arsenal had 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 aim.
Jesus put Arsenal again forward on the stroke of half-time with a close-range header from Ben White’s looping cross.
Luton’s set-piece prowess offered one other plot twist within the forty ninth minute when Adebayo rose highest to go dwelling from close-range after Raya flapped at Alfie Doughty’s nook.
Rob Edwards’ facet lead the Premier League in set-piece objectives this season, with over 50 p.c coming from free-kicks, corners and penalties.
The Hatters had no have to unleash their dead-ball excellence as they grabbed a 3rd aim thanks to a different Raya blunder within the 57th minute.
Former Chelsea midfielder Barkley glided away from White inside the realm for a low shot that squirmed below Raya’s weak tried save.
But Arsenal had been stage once more simply three minutes later by means of Havertz, who poked dwelling from close-range after Jesus confirmed spectacular power to carry off his marker earlier than choosing out the German’s run.
Showing the fortitude of potential champions, Arsenal saved pushing for the winner and accomplished their spirited fightback within the seventh minute of stoppage-time.
Rice met Martin Odegaard’s cross with a glancing header that nestled within the far nook as Arteta danced a jig of pleasure on the touchline.
In Tuesday’s different sport, Hwang Hee-chan sealed Wolves’ 1-0 win in opposition to Burnley at Molineux.
Hwang’s ninth aim of the season settled the affair when he netted within the forty second minute, teed up by Matheus Cunha after Burnley surrendered possession too simply.
Burnley stay second backside after an eighth defeat of their final 9 video games, whereas Wolves, who recorded a primary clean-sheet since August, climb to twelfth place.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated news company feed – AFP)
Ritayan BasuRitayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been protecting home and and worldwide soccer for almost a decade. Has performed and c…Read More
Source: www.news18.com
