Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points as Declan Rice’s last-gasp goal capped the leaders’ remarkable comeback against Luton Town on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side trailed 3-2 in the second half of a heated match at Kenilworth Road after keeper David Raya made two costly errors.
But, due to Kai Havertz’s equaliser and Rice’s header deep into stoppage time, Arsenal came back to consolidate their lead at the top of the table.
The loud celebrations from Arteta and his players highlighted the significance of a gutsy comeback, which will feed Arsenal’s optimism that they can eventually win their first title since 2004.
“I’m overjoyed. We knew it would be a tough battle here, so we made it difficult for ourselves by conceding the goals,” Arteta explained.
“The team spirit, how we fought, showed our quality at the right times, and never gave up.” We went for it and were rewarded today.
“Big ups to Luton, it was a tough night.” I chatted with the team, and they are all excited.”
Gabriel Martinelli had opened the score for Arsenal, but Luton’s Gabriel Osho equalised before halftime, and Gabriel Jesus restored the visitors’ lead.
Elijah Adebayo scored Luton’s second level shortly after halftime, capitalising on the first of Raya’s errors, and Ross Barkley capitalised on another.
However, England midfielder Rice had the final say, giving Arsenal six consecutive wins in all competitions since their infamous VAR-assisted defeat at Newcastle.
Liverpool can cut the gap on Arsenal to two points if they win at bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Arteta’s players have been road warriors since the start of last season, winning 17 away games in that time, and the Gunners’ first visit to Kenilworth Road in 32 years resulted in their first victory there since 1984.
Bukayo Saka threaded his way down the right side for a low cross that Martinelli met with a scuffed finish into the bottom corner from 12 yards in the 20th minute.
Rice comes to the rescue
Arsenal were caught off guard by a well-worked corner routine five minutes later when Osho found space to thump his header past Raya from 10 yards for his first Premier League goal.
On the stroke of halftime, Jesus restored Arsenal’s lead with a close-range header from Ben White’s looping cross.
In the 49th minute, Luton’s set-piece skill offered another narrative twist as Adebayo rose highest to head home from close range after Raya fumbled at Alfie Doughty’s corner.
This season, Rob Edwards’ side leads the Premier League in set-piece goals, with more than half coming from free kicks, corners, and penalties.
The Hatters didn’t need to use their dead-ball skills because they scored a third goal in the 57th minute courtesy to another Raya gaffe.
Barkley, a former Chelsea midfielder, slipped away from White inside the area for a low effort that wiggled under Raya’s feeble save.
But Arsenal equalised three minutes later through Havertz, who tucked home from close range after Jesus used exceptional power to fight off his opponent before picking out the German’s run.
Arsenal remained fighting for the victory and completed their heroic comeback in the seventh minute of stoppage time, displaying the fortitude of prospective winners.
Rice met Martin Odegaard’s cross with a glancing header that nestled in the far corner as Arteta danced on the touchline in delight.
Hwang Hee-chan clinched Wolves’ 1-0 win over Burnley at Molineux on Tuesday.
Hwang scored his ninth goal of the season in the 42nd minute, after being put up by Matheus Cunha after Burnley gave up possession too easily.
Burnley are still second-bottom after an eighth defeat in their last nine games, while Wolves are up to 12th after recording their first clean sheet since August.