For matchday 15 in the Premier League, leaders Arsenal took on basement dwellers Luton on Tuesday evening. A turbulent game developed in which the Gunners were able to score three points with the last action of the game
Arsenal had the opportunity to at least temporarily extend their lead at the top of the table with their fourth win in a row in the away game at Luton Town. The league’s best defense (11 goals conceded) faced the second-worst offense (13 goals). Coach Mikel Arteta made three changes to his team after the 2:1 win against Wolverhampton. Havertz started in midfield for Trossard. The full-back positions were also changed. White and Kiwior started in place of Tomiyasu and Zinchenko for the Londoners.
Hatters coach Rob Edwards made four changes to his team from the 3-1 defeat at Brentford. Doughty replaced Lockyer. In addition, the entire attacking department was replaced. Morris, Ogbene and Chong were replaced by Adebayo, Townsend and Brown.
Physical play – Osho counters Martinelli
In a battling first half, the Gunners took the lead with their first good chance. An inaccurate backpass from Bell could only be cleared out of the side by Kaminski. After a quick throw-in from Gabriel Jesus, the ball eventually found its way via Saka to Martinelli, who shot in from the back to take the lead (20′).
Luton responded promptly. Following a corner from Doughty, Osho headed the ball into the left-hand corner from the penalty spot (25′). However, the visitors then took complete control of the game and failed to convert their chances and superiority into goals. First, Jesus failed to beat Kaminski from an acute angle (28′), then Martinelli’s powerful shot from nine meters also found its master in Hatters keeper Kaminski (32′).
Gabriel Jesus scores – double strike from Luton
Arsenal had everything under control and had the next good opportunity to take the lead through Saka’s shot (39′). They then took the lead in the 45th minute when Saka sent White deep and the defender played a perfect pass to Gabriel Jesus, who was lurking at the second post and only had to keep his head down from close range. Kenilworth Road went into the break with a deserved lead that could have been even greater.
The second half was barely four minutes old when the ball was already in the visitors’ net. Adebayo headed a corner into the orphaned goal ahead of the emerging Raya (49′). And it went from strength to strength. The league newcomers put up a brave fight and even took the lead through Barkley (57′) after he initiated an assertive attack from his own half, which the midfield engine finished off himself
Gunners come back – Rice in the last second
It took just three minutes for the Londoners to reply. Jesus set up Havertz, who beat Kaminski from a free position to make it 3-3. Arsenal continued to make an effort, but were unable to get in front of the Hatters’ goal with enough urgency and precision. However, the league leaders were dangerous again in the closing stages and pinned Luton, who were barely able to break free, deep into their own half. But both Ödegaard and Trossard failed to beat Kaminski (76′, 77′). Good opportunities from Havertz and Trossard again went unused (87., 88.).
And so it took until the 97th minute before Arsenal were able to decide a turbulent game in their favor. With the last action of the game, Ödegaard’s cross found the rising Rice in the penalty area, who headed into the right-hand corner. With the late three points, Arsenal extended their lead to five points, at least temporarily. The hosts, on the other hand, remain deep in the basement with nine points. Arsenal then visit Aston Villa on Saturday (6pm). Luton welcome Manchester City, the next heavyweight, to their home ground on Sunday (3pm).
