Declan Rice’s 97th minute header hands Gunners victory over Luton in a seven-goal thriller

Declan Rice proved the difference in a seven-goal thriller in the Premier League on Wednesday morning, sending them five points clear at the top of the table.

LUTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Gabriel after defeating Luton Town during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Arsenal FC at Kenilworth Road on December 05, 2023 in Luton, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League after Declan Rice’s last-gasp goal capped the leaders’ thrilling fightback in their 4-3 win against Luton on Wednesday morning Australian time.

Rocked by a pair of costly blunders from ‘keeper David Raya, Mikel Arteta’s side trailed 3-2 in the second half of a pulsating clash at Kenilworth Road.

But Arsenal roared back to consolidate their lead at the top of the table thanks to Kai Havertz’s equaliser and Rice’s header deep into stoppage-time.

The wild celebrations from Arteta and his players underlined the significance of a gritty escape that will fuel the belief Arsenal can finally win their first title since 2004.

Gabriel Martinelli had opened the scoring for Arsenal, with Luton’s Gabriel Osho equalising and Gabriel Jesus restoring the visitors’ advantage just before halftime.

Elijah Adebayo scored Luton’s second equaliser soon after halftime thanks to the first of Raya’s mistakes and Ross Barkley benefited from another error from the Spaniard.

But England midfielder Rice had the last word to give Arsenal six successive wins in all competitions since their controversial VAR-aided defeat at Newcastle.

Second-placed Liverpool can close back to within two points of Arsenal if they win at bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United on Wednesday.

Declan Rice is mobbed by teammate Gabriel after his 97-minute strike sunk Luton Town in the Premier League. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images.

Luton have made it hard for supposedly superior teams on their home turf this season, earning an impressive 1-1 draw with Liverpool, who needed a last-gasp equaliser from Luis Diaz to avoid defeat.

Arteta’s men have been road warriors since the start of last season - winning 17 away games in that period -- and the Gunners’ first trip to Kenilworth Road for 32 years brought their first victory at the venue since 1984.

They struck first in the 20th minute when Bukayo Saka weaved his way down the right flank for a low cross that Martinelli met with a scuffed finish into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Undone by a well-worked corner routine, Arsenal were left flat-footed five minutes later as Osho found space to thump his header past Raya from 10 yards for his first Premier League goal.

🚨 Scenes between the players and the fans after Declan Rice’s winner!

🎥 @MailSportpic.twitter.com/Ebw0Y84eKw

— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) December 5, 2023

Jesus put Arsenal back ahead on the stroke of halftime with a close-range header from Ben White’s looping cross.

Luton’s set-piece prowess provided another plot twist in the 49th minute when Adebayo rose highest to head home from close-range after Raya flapped at Alfie Doughty’s corner.

Rob Edwards’ side lead the Premier League in set-piece goals this season, with over 50 per cent coming from free-kicks, corners and penalties.

The Hatters had no need to unleash their dead-ball excellence as they grabbed a third goal thanks to another Raya blunder in the 57th minute.

Gunners’ Declan Rice throws his match shirt into the crowd after his stoppage time goal against Luton Town. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images.

Former Chelsea midfielder Barkley glided away from White inside the area for a low shot that squirmed under Raya’s weak attempted save.

But Arsenal were level again just three minutes later through Havertz, who poked home from close-range after Jesus showed impressive strength to hold off his marker before picking out the German’s run.

Showing the fortitude of potential champions, Arsenal kept pushing for the winner and completed their spirited fightback in the seventh minute of stoppage-time.

Rice met Martin Odegaard’s cross with a glancing header that nestled in the far corner as Arteta danced a jig of delight on the touchline.

In Tuesday’s other game, Hwang Hee-chan sealed Wolves’ 1-0 win against Burnley at Molineux.

The Clarets arrived bolstered by a 5-0 thrashing of relegation rivals Sheffield United at the weekend.

However, Hwang’s ninth goal of the season settled the affair when he netted in the 42nd minute, teed up by Matheus Cunha after Burnley surrendered possession too easily.

Burnley remain second bottom after an eighth defeat in their last nine games, while Wolves, who recorded a first clean-sheet since August, climb to 12th plac