It was nothing short of soul-crushing heartbreak for Luton Town on Tuesday as they came just seconds away from a famous and brilliant draw with Arsenal, only to succumb on the game’s most meaningful final touch and lose 4-3.
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The Hatters twice battled back from a goal down and briefly took the lead, looking to have a point in the bag before Declan Rice headed home a desperate cross in the 97th minute. Seven goals scored by seven different players in one of the most unlikely games of the season.
Arsenal took the lead through Gabriel Martinelli in the 20th minute, but Luton hit back almost immediately – and not for the last time on Tuesday – as Gabriel Ocho headed home a corner kick in the 25th minute. Arsenal restored the lead just before half-time as Gabriel Jesus was the quickest to strike the ball. In front of goal in the 45th minute, but Luton responded again in short order.
Four minutes after the start of the second half, Elijah Adebayo succeeded in equalizing for the hosts for the second time. Ross Barkley beat David Raya, who perhaps should have done better to make the save, in the 57th minute, with Kenilworth Road in a frenzy. It only lasted three minutes, with Kai Havertz scoring from close range on the hour mark.
However, Luton looked to deserve their point late in stoppage time. Until Martin Odegaard fired a hopeful shot into the box for what was likely to be the final sequence of the match. Another statement was all they needed. Instead, Rice rose up and headed the ball into the bottom corner to send Arsenal five points clear of Liverpool and six above Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title.
What then?
Arsenal are set for a tough trip to Villa Park on Saturday (12:30pm ET), with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa taking on Manchester City and Arsenal home and away this week. Speaking of the three-time defending champions, Luton and Villa will swap dance partners at the weekend as the Hatters take on Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday (9 a.m. ET).
Player Ratings – Luton Town vs Arsenal
Luton Town vs Arsenal Final score: 3-4
Goals scored: Gabriel Martinelli (20), Gabriel Ocho (25), Gabriel Jesus (45), Elia Adebayo (49), Ross Barkley (57), Kai Havertz (60), Declan Rice (90+). 7)
Minute 20 – Goal – Gabriel Martinelli puts Arsenal in front
Martinelli scores the go-ahead goal against Luton Town
Gabriel Martinelli scored in his second successive game to give Arsenal an early 1-0 lead over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Minute 25 – Goal – Gabriel Ocho equalizes for Luton
Osho Chiefs Luton Town draw against Arsenal
Gabriel Ocho got up and headed in Luton Town’s equalizer against Arsenal in the first half at Kenilworth Road.
Minute 45 – Goal – Gabriel Jesus heads Arsenal in front
Jesus leads Arsenal 2-1 against Luton Town
Gabriel Jesus rises into the air and scores Arsenal’s second goal of the game to take a 2-1 lead against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Minute 49 – Goal – Elijah Adebayo equalizes Luton again
Adebayo puts Luton Town level against Arsenal
Elijah Adebayo answers the Hatters’ call and equalizes for Arsenal to make it 2-2 at Kenilworth Road.
Minute 57 – Goal – Ross Barkley scores Luton’s third goal under David Raya
Barkley stuns Arsenal and gives Luton Town a 3-2 lead
Ross Barkley curled a left-footed shot under David Raya’s arm and into the back of the net to give Luton Town a shock 3-2 lead against Arsenal at Kenilworth Road.
Minute 60 – Goal – Kai Havertz shoots the ball into the net to make it 3-3
Havertz puts Arsenal 3-3 ahead against Luton Town
A lovely pass from Gabriel Jesus put Kai Havertz in front of goal, as he calmly lifted his shot into the back of the net to make it 3-3 for Arsenal against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Minute 90 +7 – Goal – Declan Rice breaks Luton’s hearts in stoppage time
Rice’s heroics give Arsenal a 4-3 win over Luton Town
When the Gunners needed a hero, Declan Rice rose above the Luton Town defense to head home Arsenal’s lead in the 97th minute at Kenilworth Road.
How to watch the Luton Town and Arsenal match live, broadcast link and start time
Starting: 3:15 PM ET (Tuesday, December 6)
TV channel: peacock
Connected: cross current Peacock Premium
Luton Town starting lineup
Kaminsky – Mene, Osho, Bale – Kabore, Mpanzo, Barkley, Doughty – Brown, Adebayo, Townsend
Arsenal starting lineup
Bar – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior – Rice, Odegaard, Havertz – Foot, Jesus, Martinelli.
Focus on Luton Town, team news
Out: Reece Burke (thigh), Dan Potts (ankle), Mads Andersen (hamstring) | Questionable: Cawley Woodrow (calf), Albert Sambe Lukunga (thigh), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Teden Mengi (knee), Tom Lockyer (back), Alfie Doughty (thigh).
Focus on Arsenal, team news
Out: Thomas Partey (thigh), Emile Smith Rowe (knee), Jurian Temper (ACL tear – out for season), Fabio Vieira (hip) | Doubted: Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf)
