Arsenal vs Luton Town match report
Arsenal travelled to Luton Town looking to increase the gap in points between Manchester City and Liverpool and, what should have been an easy game on paper, turned into a seven goal thriller the went down to the very last minutes of the game.
Arsenal walking away 4-3 winners after a late winner from Declan Rice saw us go seven point clear at the top of the table and ticks off the first of the next 5 must-win games before the year ends.
The game started off with high tempo from both sides and was a lot of end-to-end football, arguably Luton coming out on the front foot and looked like the better team for the first 15 minutes. In fact they were a bit unlucky to go 1-0 down in the 17th minute. After a quickly taken throw landed into the path of Bukayo Saka who caught the Luton defenders sleeping and cut the ball into the box where Martinelli was waiting to place the ball into the back of the net – to make it 1-0 Arsenal.
But only 5 minutes later Luton hit back and equalised. Luton winning a corner and then whipping the ball into the middle of the box onto the head of Osho who was left unmarked and beat Jesus for height, heading the ball into the back of the Arsenal net, beating David Raya to make it 1-1.
Just before half time Arsenal hit back and made it 2-1 after a lovely run of play, starting off with a quick one-two between Saka and Ben White and then White whipped the ball into the box, falling onto the head of Jesus who headed the ball straight into the back of the Luton net to make it 2-1.
The second half started a lot like the last and Luton looked fired up and ready to go and it didn’t take long for them to pull one back. In the 49th minute Luton again were awarded a corner and just like the last one, was whipped into the middle of the box, catching Arsenal sleeping, beating Raya and levelling the scores back up to 2-2.
8 minutes later Luton were at it again, when Ross Barkey cut inside and took a shot from just outside the box, whipping along the ground, going straight under Raya and into the back of the Arsenal net to make it 3-2.
In the 60th minute Jesus was seen fighting off the Luton defender and somehow knocks the ball onto Kai Havertz who’s was waiting in front of the goal and he just knocked it past the Luton keeper to make it 3-3 and get his side back into the game.
The last half an hour of the game was a lot of end-to-end stuff, with both sides having their chnaces and looked destined to end in a draw. In the 6th minutes of extra time Arsenal were awarded a free kick and thumped the ball up the pitch, Odegaard spotting the run of Rice into the box and he headed the ball past the Luton keeper to win the game 4-3 for Arsenal.
What should have been an easier game ended up with a lot of action, but Arsenal walk away winners and sit 5 points clear at the top of the table.
What’s your thoughts on our exciting last-minute win Gooners?
Daisy Mae
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My thoughts are that: soon, opponents will figure out that going toe to toe with Raya on corners and set pieces yield less positive results than blasting in shots from anywhere in the box.
I don’t know the recent stats but I will hazard a guess that Raya is 5 of 10 for all the shots he faced. 50% of those on target will definitely find the net if a defender isn’t blocking it.
The game is modern now. And even more cutthroat. Every weakness will be worked out and planned for. I know I certainly will if I am an opposing manager. Reminds me of how Leno’s box was frequently spammed with crosses when opponent found him out.
Should Arteta chose to die on this hill and make Raya’s move permanent, then this is a trophy-sabotaging concern he needs to figure out real quick.
I think opponents have already sussed Raya’s weakness’ and we are going to suffer, unless Ramsdal gets reinstated. It’s just too bad that it’s not worked out, and Aaron knows that he wasn’t first choice, so God knows how this will all unravel.
Hope his skills wont rot on the bench. Ramsdale thrives when Arsenal is at peak tuning like now. Even if MA has no use for him atm, he needs to ensure all his learned skills don’t turn to dust from lack of use.
If I were MA, I will have him keeping 2nd Halves of all matches of our youth team games to keep him competitively sharp for whenever he is deemed suddenly essential by MA. And most importantly, to allow him work out the kinks in his passing from the back game in matches with something at stake, and iron that out permanently, cos that’s the only deal-breaker for Arteta.
Obviously as a disadvantaged short dude in his playing days (no jabs intended), MA will never rate long passes as he will almost always lose out to his marker, and therefore will more than likely favour build up plays from intricate passes from the back as a coach. I believe HEREIN lies the key reason for the Ramsdale-Arteta-Raya puzzle.
Bottom line, Ramsdale is never getting a look-in again in an Arteta team unless his passing skills improves massively.
Bring back Emi Martinez. We lost one great goalkeeper there.
It’s five points clear Daisy. Crazy game and I now Wonder how long Raya has to play. Good thing the errors weren’t costly.
But costly against Newcastle
How could a fan class this game as boring, he obviously gone off the rail, this is a classic if you ask me.
Rock by a pair of two costly blunder by the Spanish international between the sticks, the league leader trailed 3 – 2 in the second half of a pulsating encounter on the Hatters old stumping ground.
But London top dog roared back to consolidate our lead on top of the tree, thanks to the big German for the leveller and Rice header deep deep in extra time.
This has all the Hallmark of a classic alright, the wild celebration from the gaffer and the players underlined the significance of a gritty escape that no doubt will fuel that Arsenal can finally lift our first big mug since 2004.
3 points. NO easy matches in the PL. We must always fully focus on the next match and nothing else and attempt to ignore all distractions.
With this defensive function, it is likely that in the end we will not be champions. The only pleasant thing is that such a miserable defensive function is repeated by the other protagonists…however I find it hard to convince myself that they would concede three goals from Luton. With a strong opponent yes, three goals from Luton, both courtesy of Raya, you can’t help but have And a ceiling of optimism. I also didn’t like Arteta’s behavior when asked about the two goals that Raya gave away. What does he mean it’s part of the job? Today we are happy.How stupid is the guy? If he didn’t make a hare out of the rice, would he say this? If the match had ended 3-3 with two goals courtesy of Raya and minus two brake points, from Luton especially from this Team, would he have the balls to make a statement like that? I don’t think so…but it’s good even in wins to take stock of what went wrong. This one when we win He just flies in the clouds, without stepping on the ground. It’s not like that. I want it to be fair. Ramsdale last year was the top goalkeeper, together with Saka and Odegaard, they collected with their performance The most points until the moment we were on top…Then the devil took the whole team, and that was entirely Arteta’s fault….he acted recklessly…that’s what I said a while ago That as long as they win and we are first, it flies in the clouds,He does not look at the victorious results, what went wrong even though they won, to prevent situations, nor will he ever keep out a name, let him see that his deformation is prolonged. Today He showed an unprofessional face to the journalist’s question, as if nothing had happened, in the two goals that were his responsibility…. if Ramsdale ate them, he wouldn’t even sit on the bench. This is not It’s professionalism and solidarity it’s merciful. Wasn’t Raya the one who conceded a similar goal on his way out to Newcastle? Yes but it’s part of the job said the holy totem. Yes it’s different It should apply to the whole team. Raya does not have the infallibility of the Pope… and anyway we always look at the overall interest of the team, outside of names. Ramsdale became the sacrificial man who is to blame After all, his psychology is abused, it was shown with a recent blunder with Brentford … it wasn’t a matter of poor performance, but poor psychology. If Arteta continues and he doesn’t see what he institutes, then he will be forced to see them again at some point and then he will go through the throat. By his own logic, a goal in Newcastle minus three mercy points wow, two mistakes wow with the tycoon Luton almost a mess….and today he would have put his head down and tried to collect the unaccompanied. I do not support nor do Ramsdale’s lawyer First of all and above all the brand that remains in the heart for over a century Faces change, the brand is always there for the supporters. It must become fair to all equal dealing. Normally, Ramsdale should come back, after first showing him that he meant that the fittest will always play. Here is the opportunity to prove it… Without meaning that nothing else He can’t in Ramsdale’s fault make faces as if his house is on fire, and when he does, simply clap his hands. These are just lessons in the behavior of a coach who wants to say that He is fair to everyone.Also note…pay attention to the phase before the ball ends up on the left of the Luton goal scorer….the ball is out of our area,and look at the defensive behavior t Haverz’s 😁😁😁😁😁😁 my mother would have cut for sure. How many times do we have to see that Haverz is in the position that puts him and sometimes he also has to defend himself when we defend…unfortunately when it won’t offer anything substantial… like when we have an advantage when the attacking team comes out as a hidden forward and has the goal, in essence we gain a player in the box, so When the team defends we have one less player who can even just make an interception. And that’s a mistake Haverz if he wants Arteta to start with the starter, it would be good if he had three In front, and to use in his position on the left of the center someone else thoroughbred there, maybe Rice, and to have Zorginho as the main player….generally a lot of mistakes from the coach…a lot of things Positive…thanks to him we are now and trying to stay in the elite of PM and Europe…however, he is the one responsible for giving away the championship last year, and now he seems to have Some obsessions that will not end well. They will cost…. the warning was already given yesterday by an opponent who you don’t say is a coward.
This is a gem of a piece. “The infallibility of the Pope” my word!
It seems like this was translated from your own original language, but I totally understand it and couldn’t agree more with your points.
To sum, Raya can never do wrong in MA’s eyes. He has chosen that hill to die upon! Even if he wins the league with Raya, I still won’t applaud his particular man management and absolute shitty treatment of Ramsdale. You don’t have to destroy his pysche to get rid of him. Call him to your office like a man and lay out your cards and wish him well. No one will forget the look of disgust on his face when Ramsdale twitched up his nerves during the Brentford match. You think Ramsdale wont watch and see that? What do you reckon that does to his self belief as a top professional? Will a clap and a shout of encouragement to Ramsdale in that moment kill you? You know what you are doing!
I thought we were going to have a disappointing draw, but Odegaard and Rice changed the result
As mentioned several times before Arsenal signed Raya, he reminds me of Ospina. A ball-playing GK, but too small for a big EPL team like us
If Arteta keeps Raya in the starting lineup for the game at Villa Park, I’m afraid Aston Villa CBs will try to bully him in the air
Gai, It is good for a coach to be truthful but Arteta in my opinion seem not to be. The fundamental reason Arteta claimed he signed Raya was to give completion to Ramsdale. He said he was willing to substitute keepers just like any other player when needed but we are yet to see that in Raya’s case. That means Raya was originally signed to take over from Ramsdale. How long will the players continue to rescue Raya for points? Yes I agree Ramsdale seem not exceptional as a keeper but he was good in our run last season. And Raya not any better so far.. I hope Arteta’s sentimental reasons for some players won’t cost him his job he is too instinctive at times for his own. good.
I just hope the game in Luton will make Arteta intensify the goalkeeping training, because Ramsdale also made two howlers in Brentford
Unfortunately, we’re likely stuck with Raya and Ramsdale till the end of the season, so Arteta had better show Raya the cost of his incapabilities by reinstating Ramsdale into the starting line-up
If Ramsdale makes another blunder afterwards, we could always play Raya again
I don’t blame ramsdale for the Brentford game, before then he had only started in like two games this season. So his confidence most have been low.
He still made two silly errors in the game, so benching him was a correct decision. Now we need to see the same punishment for Raya
@Gai: In the air is one area that we were previously willing to admit that he was better than Ramsdale at, and for which we gave him more latitude. Now lately, even that is proving to be a challenge for him. Shot-stopping consistency with that short wingspan? You can forget it!
Raya was beaten in the air by Luton players’ headers
Talking about the Arsenal’s David Raya horror show in goalkeeping for Arsenal. In their last night Epl away match to Luton Town. To which the Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in his press-conference after the match doesn’t want to publicly admit that Raya was seriously at fault for the 2 out of the 3 goals he cheaply conceded to Luton that they scored in the match.
But the pertinent question to ask now which begs for correct answer. After Raya’s comical show in goalkeeping job doing for Arsenal at Luton. Is would Arteta sanctions the sale of his out of his favour to start Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, in next January transfer window? For a very big money transfer payment received in the region of say, £60m+. Say, to Chelsea or Newcastle early in the transfer window.
And fund the club’s this winter window transfer budget. And further fund it with Including the payment money received for the likely transfer out sale of Eddie Nkethia next January?
As Arsenal will receive only £50m from the Kroenkes for their next January incomings business according to reports in the media.
But would the £50m that will be given to Arsenal be enough for them to sign a new top quality striker of regular top League 30-40 goals pet season scorer? And at the same time during the window sign a new top physicallity and technically gifted quality defensive holding midfielder? Who shouldn’t be less in the grade quality of Thomas Partey but if Edu can find one and get him for Arsenal to sign.
I think Arteta and Edu putting their heads together. Will find and get a new top quality clinical regular high goals scoring striker for Arsenal to sign him this coming winter windw. And also they can find and get a new top quality physicall and technical gifted defensive holding midfielder for Arsenal to sign too next Jan window. All for top quality options and to cover for in the team selection in Gunners’ games during the 2nd half of the season. But if Arteta wants it so. And priorities getting the duo new top quality players signed next month’s transfer window.
The club could sell Ramsdale and Nkethia next Jan for a combined possible sum of £90m. Which will enable them to fund the signings of my above 2 new top quality players I envisioned for Arsenal to do if Arteta wants. He can promote Karl Hein to the n02 goalkeeper’s spot. And maybe recall Okonkwo for the n03 spot. And avoid spending money to sign a new goalkeeper to replace Ramsdale.
If Arsenal would sell Ramsdale, I think next Jan window will be appropriate to sell him for a bigger money sale. Than to sell him next time when his sale money payment could depreciate.
Arsene Wenger refused to sell Alexis Sanches to Pep Guardola’s Man City for a buying price of £60m a record Arsenal sake. But only to later swapped him for Man Utd’s Henrik Mykhitayan. But the swap didn’t benefit Arsenal in terms of the performances that Mykhitayan performed in games for Arsenal.
Talking about the Arsenal’s David Raya horror show in goalkeeping for Arsenal. In their last night Epl away match to Luton Town. To which the Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in his press-conference after the match doesn’t want to publicly admit that Raya was seriously at fault for the 2 out of the 3 goals he cheaply conceded to Luton that they scored in the match.
But the pertinent question to ask now which begs for correct answer. After Raya’s comical show in goalkeeping job doing for Arsenal at Luton. Is would Arteta sanctions the sale of his out of his favour to start Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, in next January transfer window? For a very big money transfer payment received in the region of say, £60m? Say, to Chelsea or Newcastle early in the transfer window?
And use the proceeds to fund the club’s this winter window transfer budget. And further fund it with Including the payment money they’ll receive for their likely transfer out sale of Eddie Nkethia next January too?
As Arsenal will receive only £50m from the Kroenkes for their next January incomings business according to reports in the media.
But would the £50m that will be given to Arsenal be enough for them to sign a new top quality striker of regular top League 30-40 goals pet season scorer? And in the same vain during the window sign a new top physically and technically gifted quality defensive holding midfielder? Who shouldn’t be less in the grade quality of Thomas Partey but if Edu can find one and get him for Arsenal to sign.
I think Arteta and Edu putting their heads together. Will find and get a new top quality clinical regular high goals scoring striker for Arsenal to sign him this coming winter windw. And also they can find and get a new top quality physically and technically gifted defensive holding midfielder for Arsenal to sign too next Jan window. All for top quality options and to cover for, in the team selection for the Gunners games during the 2nd half of the season. But if Arteta wants it so. And priorities getting the duo new top quality players signed next month’s transfer window.
The club could sell Ramsdale and Nkethia next Jan for a combined possible sum of £90m. Which will enable them to fund the signings of my above 2 new top quality players I envisioned for Arsenal to do next Jan window if Arteta wants. He can promote Karl Hein to the n02 goalkeeper’s spot. And maybe recall Okonkwo for the n03 spot. If he does, he’ll avoid having the club to spend money to sign a new goalkeeper to replace Ramsdale.
If Arsenal would sell Ramsdale, I think next Jan window will be appropriate for them to sell him for a bigger money sale. Than to wait to sell him next time when his sale money payment could depreciate.
Arsene Wenger refused to sell Alexis Sanches to Pep Guardola’s Man City for a buying price of £60m which would have been a record Arsenal player sake to date. But only for him to later swapped him for Man Utd’s Henrik Mykhitayan. But the swap didn’t benefit Arsenal in terms of the performances that Mykhitayan performed in games for Arsenal.