Rice scores late winner for Arsenal in 4-3 win over Luton in Premier League after Raya's errors

Football
By Associated Press | Dec 06, 2023
Declan Rice (right) celebrates against Luton.[Arsenal]

Declan Rice scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time to earn Premier League leader Arsenal a wild 4-3 win over Luton and spare the blushes of teammate David Raya.

Raya made errors that led to two goals for Luton, leaving Arsenal on the cusp of dropping two points at Kenilworth Road.

However, with the clock having run past the six allotted minutes of stoppage time, Rice got on the end of Martin Odegaard’s cross and glanced a header into the bottom corner for a victory that lifted Arsenal five points clear.

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus scored either side of Gabriel Osho’s equalizer for Luton as Arsenal led 2-1 at halftime, with Mikel Arteta’s team going in search of a fourth straight victory in the Premier League and sixth in a row in all competitions.

Then came Raya’s mistakes.

Firstly, the goalkeeper was beaten in the air at a corner by Elijah Adebayo, who powered in a header for an equalizer in the 49th minute.

Eight minutes later, Raya allowed a shot by Ross Barkley to go under his body as he dived to his left, giving Luton — a promoted team likely to be battling relegation this season — an unexpected 3-2 advantage.

Kai Havertz equalized in the 60th minute goal and Rice completed the comeback after relentless late pressure from Arsenal.

Raya’s blunders furthered concerns he might not be the long-term answer as Arsenal’s goalkeeper after he took the place of Aaron Ramsdale this season following his offseason arrival from Brentford.

Share this story
Uproar over appointments of 'shame' at Malkia Strikers bench
KVF president Nyaberi named team manager and his deputy Bitok assistant coach in the Paris-bound national women's volleyball team.
World School Cross Country: As always, Kenya leads the way as others follow
Hosts dazzle in all categories, flooring other 20 countries.
Cheetahs put one foot in Super Series final
The final round heads to Kakamega this weekend.
Karanga excited after podium finish at Jordan Open
The rich field of elite golfers included players from hosts Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Egypt, the USA, and Serbia.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS