Arsenal beats Luton in a seven-goal thriller

By Peter Ochieng

Last season's English Premier League (EPL) runners up Arsenal staged a memorable comeback on Tuesday night to register a massive 4-3 win against hosts Luton.

Midfielder Declan Rice's last-gasp header snatched victory for Arsenal in a seven-goal thriller EPL match, to move the Gunners five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Arsenal took the lead in the 20th minute when Gabriel Martinelli steered Bukayo Saka's pass into the bottom-left corner.

Gabriel Osho's header from Alfie Doughty's corner five minutes later levelled the matters.

In what seemed to be a goal rush for the  'Gabriels,' Gabriel Jesus nodded in Ben White's cross from close range regaining Arsenal's lead in the 45th minute, before Elijah Adebayor and former Everton and Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley scored successively to give Luton a 3-2 lead.

Kai Havertz levelled the scores for Arsenal in the 60th minute, before Rice scored in the 7th minute of stoppage time to hand Mikel Arteta's side all the three points.

"I was so happy for the team. I have spoken to all of them, they are so happy they are jumping around," Arteta said post match.

"Playing every three days and you have to win every game, the demands are there. It’s the way they go about it, how much they want it. We had a talk at half-time, they think we have to do better, and they are so willing. Sometimes it was better than others, today we conceded some goals that we are going to be disappointed with but that’s part of it as well. It’s going to happen and how we react to that, and it was great."

The Spaniard tactician did not directly respond to questions on goal keeper David Raya's blunders, which gifted Luton the second and third goals.

With the win, Arsenal moves five points clear of second placed Liverpool.

The Gunners have collected 36 points from 15 matches.

Liverpool are in second place with 31, defending Champions Manchester City are third with 30 while surprise package Aston Villa close the top four positions with 29 points.

The matches continue tonight when Liverpool visit Sheffield United, Aston Villa hosts Manchester City, while Manchester United welcome Chelsea in some of the notable fixtures.