ReutersDeclan Rice made it 4-3 deep in injury time
NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 23:34
Premier League leader Arsenal narrowly won the match against low-flying Luton Town 4-3. Declan Rice scored the winning goal in the 97th minute of extra time.
Arsenal does not give Liverpool the chance to take over the lead. The number two in the competition will play on Wednesday evening against the shaky Sheffield United, which is in last place. Sheffield decided on Tuesday to be the first Premier League club of this season to say goodbye to its coach, Paul Heckingbottom.
NOS
Had Arsenal been stuck at a draw against Luton Town, Liverpool could have taken over the lead on goal difference on Wednesday evening.
Bewilderment
Arsenal midfielder Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring midway through the first half after Luton Town defenders overlooked him and he fired freely into the penalty area. Gabriel Osho headed in the equalizer five minutes later on behalf of the home team.
Just before half time, Arsenal took the lead again through Gabriel Jesus. The preparatory work was done by Bukayo Saka, who enabled Ben White to deliver a perfect cross to the Brazilian striker with a nice through ball. Barely five minutes into the second half when Luton Town leveled again, this time through Elijah Adebayo.
The London leader was astonished when Luton Town, which is playing in the Premier League for the first time in club history this season and is currently in seventeenth place, scored the 3-2 through Ross Barkley.
Once again the equalizer was on the scoreboard within a few minutes. Kai Havertz coolly tapped the ball over Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski from close range.
Final offensive
The Arsenal players increased the pressure on Luton Town in the final phase. Havertz had a great header opportunity just before the end, but the 24-year-old German saw his effort tipped over the bar. Moments later, substitute Leandro Trossard’s hard shot ended just wide of the goal.
It was Declan Rice who rewarded Arsenal’s final offensive in the 97th minute. He headed ‘The Gunners’ to the hard-fought victory on a pass from Martin Ødegaard.
2023-12-05 22:34:28
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