Arsenal extended their winning streak. An attractive battle on the newcomer’s pitch was decided in the setup by Rice

The clear favourite was Tuesday’s Premier League Round 15 match between Luton and Arsenal. The table leader confirmed his position, despite facing a tough opponent. The seven-goal shootout was decided by Declan Rice at the end of the set-up.

Both teams were plagued by numerous absences due to health problems before the game. Arsenal added Takehiro Tomiyasu to the long injured players on the Arsenal side. Luton were missing midfielder Marvelous Nakamba among many others.

The home side entered the game confidently in front of a packed Kenilworth Road stadium. But for a long time there was no goal scoring finish. However, the first one after 20 minutes of play brought a change in the score.

The visitors were able to take advantage of their opponents’ hesitation in the midfield when, after a heavy Bell’s little home, goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski offered the Londoners a free-kick. Jesus promptly sent it into a disjointed defence and Saka then crossed it into the whitewash to the accurate shooting Gabriel Martinelli.

Five minutes later, the game was level. Gabriel Osho ran onto Doughty’s corner kick and headed into space where goalkeeper David Raya failed to intervene.

In the 32nd minute, after a quick attack led by Jesus, Martinelli shot to the near post, this time saved by Kaminski. The Belgian was also successful against Sakic’s shot in the 40th minute.

One minute before the end of regulation time in the first half, the Gunners got the lead back. After an attack from the right side, the active Gabriel Jesus scored with a header after White’s pass. The teams went into the break at 1:2.

Only four minutes had passed since the players returned to the pitch and the visitors also scored for the second time. And again after a corner. In this case, the shaky Raya was headed over by striker Elijah Adebayo.

In the 57th minute, the underdog even turned the game around. First Ross Barkley launched an offensive foray from his own half, then he exchanged the ball with teammate Townsend on the edge of the penalty area and at the end he beat the goalkeeper with a ground shot.

But the Hatters’ joy at the surprise lead didn’t last long as Kai Havertz equalised in the 60th minute to make it 3-3. Sako’s high pass through a tough physical battle was redirected by Jesus to the German footballer, who shot past the goalkeeper from close range.

Arsenal’s pressure intensified as the game drew to a close. Chances were created in the last ten minutes, for example by Havertz, whose header flew over the crossbar, or Trossard, who from outside the hexagon shot along the ground just wide of the right post. The combative home side were within touching distance of a valuable point.

But after the original six minutes had elapsed, the visitors struck the decisive blow. Declan Rice pounced on Ødegaard’s pass and headed beyond Kaminski’s reach.

After a 3-4 defeat, Luton will face another giant on Sunday. They host Manchester City at 3pm. Arsenal will be looking to stretch their run of six wins across the Premier League and Champions League a day earlier at Aston Villa. The match kicks off at 18:30.

Source: Premier League, Canal+ Sport, Youtube