2023-12-05 22:22:05
Declan Rice’s goal in the seventh minute of injury allowed Arsenal to snatch a 3:4 victory away from Premier League outsider Luton.
For the weekend’s match, the Hatters have four new additions to their starting line-up: Alfie Doughty, Andros Townsend, Jacob Brown and Elijah Adebayo.
The Gunners made three changes at the start. Jakub Kiever, Ben White and Kai Havertz got their chance, replacing Takehiro Tomiyasu, Alexander Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard.
At the beginning of the match, the teams played without a goal. It seemed that Luton were doing a good job of containing their opponents, and Arsenal were not trying to increase the pace.
As a result, the first shot in the match turned into a goal. This happened in the 20th minute when, after a throw-in, Bukayo Saka took possession of the ball on the right edge of the penalty area, near the end line. There was a pass to the center of the ice to Gabriel Martinelli, who touched the ball into the corner of the goal – 0:1.
Luton responded for the first time five minutes later, leveling the score straight away. After a corner, Gabriel Osho found himself abandoned by the defenders, freely shooting his head into the corner of the goal – 1:1.
The hosts were good in the fight, acting aggressively, but gradually the visitors began to add strength and seriously strained goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski a couple of times.
And shortly before the break, the Gunners took the lead again. White delivered a cross from the right edge of the penalty area, and Gabriel Jesus headed the ball into the goal – 1:2.
The second half began with David Raya making a mistake when taking a corner. Adebayo was the first to get to the ball and hit the empty Arsenal goal with his head – 2:2.
Luton were so inspired that they even took the lead in the 57th minute. Ross Barkley carried the ball forward, played into the wall with Townsend, and when he found himself on the left edge of the penalty area, he feinted and shot past Raya – 3:2. David frankly missed this blow.
However, in the 60th minute the balance was restored in the score. Jesus fought on the left edge of the penalty area, passed into the center to Havertz, and he poked the ball into the goal – 3:3.
The shorter the time became, the deeper the hosts sat, defending the draw. The guests pressed desperately.
The outcome came in the seventh minute of stoppage time, when Declan Rice headed in Martin Odegaard’s cross from near the goalkeeper’s goal – 3:4.
David Raya let his team down in this match, conceding two unnecessary goals, and it almost cost Arsenal two points. However, the Gunners tried until the very end and were rewarded for it.
Luton – Arsenal. Match report
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