The pressure ramped up on Mikel Arteta's first-choice 'keeper as he made a pair of terrible mistakes at Kenilworth Road
Declan Rice scored a dramatic 97th-minute winner to spare David Raya's blushes and send Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League following a thrilling 4-3 win at Luton on Tuesday night.
Two awful second-half errors from Raya looked to have seen his side drop two crucial points in the title race at Kenilworth Road, only for Rice to pop up deep into stoppage time to plant a header past Thomas Kaminski and spark wild celebrations in the away end.
It was an incredible end to a crazy game which swung back and forth all evening. Gabriel Martinelli had given Arsenal the lead, but Gabriel Osho levelled soon after with a free header from a corner, only for Gabriel Jesus to make it 2-1 seconds before the break.
At that point the Gunners appeared well placed to go on and secure a comfortable win, but Raya flapped at a corner early in the second half to allow Elijah Adebayo to equalise before letting a Ross Barkley shot squirm under his body soon after.
It was another awful moment for the Arsenal keeper, one that will see Mikel Arteta come in for even more questions about his decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with the on-loan Brentford stopper.
But Havertz levelled soon after before Rice sealed all three points with seconds remaining to secure a remarkable victory.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Kenilworth Road…
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David Raya (3/10):
Couldn't do anything with Osho's well placed header, but was beaten far too easily by Adebayo for the second goal and then let Barkley's shot squirm under his body. Really poor and two more errors that will do little to silence his doubters.
Ben White (7/10):
Put under pressure early in the first half, but responded well and was a threat down the right. Excellent cross to set up Jesus.
William Saliba (7/10):
Never really looked troubled. Cruised through the game as he always does.
Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):
Took a couple of big challenges early on which angered him, but soon calmed down to form his usual commanding partnership with Saliba.
Jakub Kiwior (6/10):
Didn't look entirely comfortable operating in the left-back role. Luton looked to press him quickly and he struggled at times in possession.
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Declan Rice (8/10):
Another strong performance. Looked to be the one calm head at times amid all the madness. Popped up with the crucial winner right at the death.
Kai Havertz (8/10):
Another goal for Arsenal's summer signing from Chelsea. After a slow start he is really starting to find his feet. Competed well all evening and showed some nice touches. Impressive.
Martin Odegaard (7/10):
Really grew into the first half after a quiet start and linked up well with White and Saka. Wasn't as influential after half-time, but popped up with the cross right at the end for Rice to head home.
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Bukayo Saka (8/10):
Lovely assist for Martinelli's goal and then produced a sublime pass for White in the build-up to Jesus' second. Another game when he makes a difference for Arsenal.
Gabriel Jesus (8/10):
You could see he was getting rattled by some of the tackles that were coming his way. He kept his head though and scored Arsenal's second having also play a key role in Martinelli's opener. Great play to set up Havertz for the third as well.
Gabriel Martinelli (7/10):
Took a big hit early on and never really looked comfortable after that. Was still alert enough to open the scoring though in the first half. Replaced by Trossard early in the second.
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Leandro Trossard (6/10):
Looked bright when he came on and helped Arsenal dominate the closing stages, but couldn't find a way through.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (7/10):
Almost set up a goal for Havertz late on and then played a key role in Rice's dramatic winner.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
His subs worked well, but he will have to face yet more questions about his decision to bring in Raya over Aaron Ramsdale.
