Luton Town

• This is the first meeting between Luton Town and Manchester City since April 1999, a third-tier league meeting that City won 2-0 with goals from Paul Dickov and Tony Vaughan

• Luton have won each of their past seven home league games against reigning top-flight champions, with these coming from 1985-86 to 1991-92.

• Manchester City are winless in their past four Premier League, their worst run since March and April 2017. They have not gone five without a win since a run of seven in October and November 2009, while manager Pep Guardiola has never gone five in a row without a win in his top-flight managerial career.

• Luton remain without a Premier League clean sheet so far this season but 33% of their goals conceded at Kenilworth Road this term came in their 4-3 defeat against Arsenal last time out.

• Manchester City’s past five defeats in all competitions have all been when Rodri has not featured, including Wednesday's 1-0 loss at Aston Villa. By contrast, City are unbeaten in their past 43 games with the Spaniard in the team

• Alfie Doughty has created more chances, provided more assists and played more passes into the box (110) than any other Luton player in the Premier League this season

Image source, Reuters

Luton Town may be fourth from bottom in the Premier League table, but they boast a league leader in the shape of Chiedozie Ogbene.

In November, it was revealed that the Hatters winger had clocked the fastest speed by a player in the English top flight, external this term (36.93km/h), just ahead of Wolves' Pedro Neto and Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai.

Ogbene said: "I really like track and field and every now and then I like to put on the old Olympics, the 4x100m relays. I can't count how many times I've watched the London 2012 relay final.

"[Usain] Bolt is obviously someone I loved, the way he runs, his mechanics, but obviously I'm not 6ft 5ins so I don't try to hyperextend the way he can. I just love the way he is. He's like a piston.

"Sprinters advise to run at 90-95%, they don't try to run at 100%. If you get to 100%, you stress yourself.

"It's called the 90% rule. At 90% you're telling your brain 'I'm relaxed, I'm only looking for 90' and you end up running quicker because your brain is not chasing a goal."

Republic of Ireland international Ogbene has appeared in all 15 of Luton's Premier League matches this season, in his first year playing in the top flight.

"International football has helped me massively because it would have been a such a big jump," he added.

"When I came to the Premier League, I told myself 'I've competed well against some of the top full-backs in international football, I have to be confident'.

"Being quick is a good trait to have because defenders tend to respect you a bit more, they're scared you're going to go in behind.

"Can I go faster? I hope I will."

Ollie Kay, We Are Luton Town, external

How do I feel after going toe to toe with Arsenal? A team that started Tuesday's game top of the table, and boast riches, players and a global fanbase that most likely will never set foot in the Emirates Stadium? I have to say I feel pretty enthused by the performance by the players.

Unfortunately, conceding in the 97th minute, from a routine cross that we had been clearing all game has left a bitter taste in my mouth.

However, the Luton players have covered themselves in glory and once again shown up the vast majority of internet ‘experts’ and pundits alike who decried our recruitment or said we simply had not given a big enough transfer outlay.

My fellow We Are Luton Town writer Zac Neal has totalled the fees for the goalscorers in the 4-3 classic. Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice cost a king's ransom of approximately £222 million.

The expense for Gabe Osho, Elijah Adebayo and Ross Barkley amount to an estimated £200,000, with Elijah making up the entirety of that, signed from League Two Walsall.

We will keep fighting the good fight, punching above our weight and we will show that football is ultimately a game played on the pitch, and not on balance sheets.

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Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

That's the cruelty of the Premier League.

Luton looked to have gained a hard and well earned point against league leaders Arsenal but then came the dramatic injury-time goal to break the hearts of the team and supporters.

Most teams Luton have faced in the past 10 years would have bombed that stoppage-time free-kick straight into the box to try and get a winner. Arsenal, being the supreme team they are, were patient and worked the ball further forward and wider to get a better angled cross in - and the man they paid £115 million for did the rest to justify his price tag.

It was harsh but it is what the Hatters are up against most weeks.

Luton have to pick themselves up and go again. They have five days to extinguish the hurt and get ready for the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League winners. It is going to be a big challenge to be mentally and physically ready for Pep Guardiola's golden Manchester City team.

And yet there were plenty of positives in defeat to Arsenal. Luton gave the leaders so many problems and the Gunners were uncomfortable all night. You only had to see how relieved Mikel Arteta was at the end.

There were so many outstanding Luton performances but once again Ross Barkley stood out significantly.

The former England man still possesses out-and-out class on the ball and at times Arsenal struggled to suppress him. Barkley continues to raise his sharpness levels and is open to further improvement.

After his performance in the win over Crystal Palace, some Luton fans were describing him as the best Hatters player they had ever seen. They are likely to have been a younger generation of supporter but it is an indication of the impression he is making.

Barkley was even better against the Gunners and it is clear Luton have a special talent on their hands.

Image source, Getty Images

Andros Townsend says he and his team-mates were "proud and devastated" after their seven-goal thriller against top-of-the-table Arsenal at Kenilworth Road.

The Hatters found the back of the net through Gabriel Osho, Elijah Adebayo and Ross Barkley, but Arsenal record signing Declan Rice's last-gasp header snatched a 4-3 victory for the visitors.

"The two words are proud and devastated," experienced winger Andros Townsend said after the defeat.

"We're proud because it was an amazing performance, against one of Europe's best clubs. We scored three goals, pressed higher to not give them any time on the ball so to have chances and still lose it - devastating."

Townsend believes Luton must "drown their sorrows and take the positives" before another "tough game" against Manchester City on Sunday.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott says Luton should “take a lot” from their performance against the Gunners despite a late defeat.

The Hatters conceded a late goal to Declan Rice after taking the lead earlier in the game, but remain two points clear of the relegation zone.

Walcott says they should be encouraged by their performance and backed them to cause other top sides issues, having run Tottenham close and held Liverpool at Kenilworth Road.

“Luton will be looking at themselves thinking: ‘We’ve scored three goals against Arsenal, and we still can’t win’,” Walcott told the Football Daily podcast.

“They did everything right until the last second. They’ll be disappointed but they’ve got to take a lot from this. It is a long season ahead and nobody expected them to win these games anyway.

“I think they are going to do relatively well against these big teams. They make it difficult and they frustrated Arsenal. Rob Edwards has brought a connection with the fans.”

Listen to the full show on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Ross Barkley believes there are "positives to take" from Luton's narrow 4-3 defeat to top of the table Arsenal.

"It is a bit of a downer in the end because we performed well against the team that is top of the league," Barkley told BBC Radio Three Counties.

"So there are positives to take from it. We were down 2-1, then came back to 3-2, but then we conceded another two [goals]. It's easy to iron out but we keep making these mistakes. We are working on sorting it out, but it was a killer in the end.

"A goal happens quickly. It's not that we can't stay focused for the whole game. We conceded late against Liverpool, but against Crystal Palace and Everton the team did well in the late stages to get the win."

Barkley explained what the mood is like at the club is like: "We've got great team spirit and we show character on game day."

The 30-year-old midfielder has been "enjoying football" since joining Luton Town on a free transfer in the summer, after being released from Ligue 1 club Nice.

"I'm just enjoying my football. It was just great to score my first goal [against Arsenal]. I'm feeling positive, confident and just enjoying my football. That's the main thing."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

We asked for your comments on Tuesday's thriller between Luton Town and Arsenal.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Ant: What a sickener to concede a goal with the last kick. So proud and this Luton team improves with each game. For those who see us as a novelty act we have earned our place in the league and it takes real character to go from non-league to Premier League. It's our character that makes us the club we are.

Nina: Even though we lost I am still immensely proud of our team. To push a top team like Arsenal to the final minute is incredible considering where we were a few years ago!

Nathan: We’ve given Arsenal a real game. The Kenny was rocking under the lights. We still need to believe we belong in the Premier League. We are all proud of you boys. Rob Edwards, you’re always going to be a Luton legend.

Steve: Brilliant team performance and if we perform like that at home, we will beat the drop. Thought the whole team played well, hard to pick out individuals but Barkley and Osho were outstanding. Before the season started, people said we couldn’t compete in this league. We are proving them wrong and I am one extremely proud Hatter.

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Steve Sutcliffe, BBC Sport

For Luton, this was another occasion when a good performance did not translate into points against one of the Premier League big boys.

The air of deflation around Kenilworth Road was clearly visible after Declan Rice's late winning goal for Arsenal.

However, Rob Edwards' side still showed enough quality and determination to provide a level of optimism towards their hopes of remaining in the top flight at the end of the season.

But if they are to survive they will have to eradicate the sort of defensive errors that contributed to Arsenal's opening goal.

Amari'i Bell's poor back pass gifted the Gunners possession deep in their half and Alfie Doughty's positioning from the throw-in that followed gave him little chance of preventing Bukayo Saka from teeing up Gabriel Martinelli.

Edwards, though, will undoubtedly look to draw upon the fighting spirit that twice saw them come from behind to level, with Manchester City, Newcastle and Chelsea heading to Kenilworth Road before the end of this year.

Luton manager Rob Edwards, speaking to Amazon Prime: "We thought we'd have a go, that's what our supporters want. That's our identity. Arsenal wanted a game of order and we made it chaotic at times. I'm really flat for everyone. I'm so proud of the lads.

On Man City next: "It gets tougher. These are the games we wanted. We've probably given a good few memories to some of our supporters here to see Arsenal come here. When I see them clapping at the end, I know we've done our job.

Change of system: "We needed the numbers out in the wide areas. Arsenal have a clear way of playing. We're trying to get pressure on the ball and adapt.

On set-pieces: "We work really hard on both sides of the game. We always have a plan. Arsenal don't give you a lot. We've got really good delivery and we've got people who want to attack it. We do a lot of work on it and more so in the last few months. The players are really enjoying it.

David Raya's performance: "We wanted to make it uncomfortable for them. We will probably have to be different away from home when we play them again, but we've got to use this place as a bit of a leveller and make it difficult."

• Declan Rice’s winner at 96:23 was Arsenal’s latest winning goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League away game. It also ended a 10-game winless run away against Luton in all competitions, earning their first Kenilworth Road victory since 1984.

• Arsenal had 52 touches in the opposition box against Luton this evening, their highest tally in a Premier League away game since September 2016 (55 vs Hull City).

• Arsenal conceded three goals in a Premier League match for the first time this season, shipping as many goals tonight as in their previous six away games this term. Meanwhile, Luton scored three goals in a top-flight match for the first time since April 1991 (3-3 v Chelsea).

• Declan Rice is the third different Arsenal player to score two 90th minute winning goals in a single Premier League campaign, after Ian Wright (1993-94 and 1995-96) and Nicklas Bendtner (2009-10).

• Arsenal conceded twice from a corner in this match, the first time they’d done so in a Premier League match since August 2017 against Leicester City (a match they also won 4-3). They’d only conceded one corner goal in the league this season before tonight.

• Ross Barkley scored his first goal for Luton Town, and his first Premier League goal at all in 562 days since scoring for Chelsea against Watford in May 2022.

• Kai Havertz has scored three goals in his last four games for Arsenal in all competitions, as many as in his previous 32 club appearances combined.

• Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus has been involved in six goals in his last five appearances in all competitions, both scoring and assisting a goal in three different games in this run.

Declan Rice's last-gasp header snatched victory for Arsenal in a seven-goal thriller at Luton to move them five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

It was the conclusion to a compelling encounter in which the hosts twice fought back and threatened to win when Elijah Adebayo and Ross Barkley scored in an eight-minute period after the break, with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya culpable for both goals.

However, the Hatters were denied a valuable point when Rice met Martin Odegaard's cross in the seventh minute of stoppage time, 23 seconds after the six official minutes added on had expired.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

Luton fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Arsenal fans?

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Image source, BBC Sport

There are two games being played in the Premier League on Tuesday and we will bring you coverage of both.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Listen live:

Luton vs Arsenal - 20:15, BBC Radio 5 Live

It is a busy midweek of Premier League action and BBC Radio 5 Live has got you covered.

Here is the list of commentaries for the 10 games being played on Tuesday through to Thursday, with coverage available on 5 Live, Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website (all times GMT):

Tuesday, 5 December

• Wolves v Burnley (19:30) - Conor McNamara and Leon Osman

• Luton v Arsenal (20:15) - Ali Bruce-Ball and Matt Upson

Wednesday, 6 December

• Aston Villa v Manchester City (20:15) - John Murray and Pat Nevin

• Manchester United v Chelsea (20:15) - Lee Blakeman and Paul Robinson

• Sheffield United v Liverpool (19:30) - Tom Gayle and Alex Bruce

• Crystal Palace v Bournemouth (19:30) - Flo Pollock and Matt Jarvis

• Brighton v Brentford (19:30) - Paul Scott and Francis Benali

• Fulham v Nottingham Forest (19:30) - Sheridan Robins and Stephen Kelly

Thursday, 7 December

• Everton v Newcastle (19:30) - Ali Bruce-Ball and James McFadden

• Tottenham v West Ham (20:15) - Jonathan Pearce and Michael Brown

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

This week, he takes on CBeebies presenter Rhys Stephenson.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Arsenal have been much more pragmatic so far than they were last season and have not hit the same heights with their attacking play, but it is working for them.

We know how spirited Luton are at home but the way Mikel Arteta's side are playing at the moment, I just expect them to find a way to win.

Historically, the Gunners used to struggle at Kenilworth Road when Luton were in the top flight in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and they have not won there since January 1984, but that long wait for a victory should soon be over.

Rhys' prediction: 1-3

Read the rest of their predictions here

Ollie Kay, We Are Luton Town, external

The loss against Brentford was unfortunate. This packed Christmas period of football has not got off to the stellar start all Hatters were looking for.

The game was fine until the end of the first half as we were keeping Brentford at bay. Sure we did not have any shots at goal, but we held firm, and our defence - marshalled spectacularly by Tom Lockyer - doing what it is there for.

However when he went off the wheels began to come off. 1-0 down just five minutes after the restart and then 2-0 down after 10. From the 75th minute we showed what we were about, scoring and then creating plenty of chances, which begs the question, why didn’t we go for it before then?

Nevertheless, we keep moving forward, albeit with a depleted defence, with Teden Mengi also joining Lockyer being substituted with an injury.

With just two fit centre-halves we now move onto the small matter of welcoming Arsenal and then Manchester City to Kenilworth Road.

I will always keep the faith, but with our defensive injury list continually growing and the packed festive period having only just kicked off, I guess I’ll say it: I’m pretty nervous about how this is going to go.

Right now, it’s about powering through, keeping our heads up, and focusing on the Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Burnley games dispersed between the minefield of Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle and Chelsea.

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• This is the first meeting between Luton and Arsenal in any competition since December 1991, a 1-0 win for the Hatters at Kenilworth Road in the top-flight.

• Arsenal are winless in their past 10 away games against Luton in all competitions (D6 L4) since a 2-1 league win in January 1984 under Don Howe.

• Arsenal have won six of the past seven games when facing a side in the Premier League for the first time.

• Luton picked up their first Premier League home win in their most recent home game against Crystal Palace. They have conceded in all six at Kenilworth Road in the competition so far, but have only failed to score once (0-1 v Tottenham in October).

• No side have kept more away clean sheets (four) or conceded fewer goals on the road (three) in the Premier League this season than Arsenal. Three of the Gunners’ four league wins on the road this season have been by a 1-0 scoreline.

• If he plays, this will be Bukayo Saka’s 200th appearance for Arsenal in all competitions. Aged 22 years and 91 days, he would be the second-youngest English player to ever reach the milestone for the Gunners after Cliff Bastin (22y 16d) and youngest overall since Cesc Fabregas in 2008 (21y 118d).

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Luton's Premier League match against Arsenal on Tuesday

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Edwards confirmed that Tom Lockyer wasn’t present at training today but he will give him as much time as possible. He added that Lockyer is a very important player for the Hatters and he still has a few hours to decide on his fitness, especially with the later kick-off.

• Teden Mengi is in contention and has been training today. Albert Sambi Lokonga is fit but available for Sunday's game instead and Alfie Doughty is progressing well.

• Edwards says the key focus against Arsenal is that the squad has to be very good without the ball.

• On their performance against Brentford: "We dipped below our levels in certain areas of the game on Saturday. We made too many errors. We weren’t aggressive enough. It wasn’t just possession we were lacking, there were other things. We've had a good meeting and training session and are looking to rectify it tomorrow."

• On playing against top teams: "This week and these next couple of days for us are really exciting. A few years ago playing against Manchester City and Arsenal in the same week would’ve felt like million miles away and not possible. We want to enjoy it but our job is to be competitive, which we will be."

• Edwards feels playing three Premier League games in quick succession in the past did take a little bit of a toll on the group. However, they are ready for it and are becoming more used to the physical demands the league offers.

• When asked about whether the game being at home would be an advantage he said: "It is different and quite intimidating. We will need our fans at their best. Hopefully we will bring them something to cheer about. Just because it is at home doesn’t mean it is a walk in the park."

• When asked about refereeing issues he added: "The games have been incredible and it does seem like the referees are in the limelight this year. They are humans and are going to make mistakes. It’s difficult when you look back and think it could’ve been a big mistake. I’d rather talk about the football rather than the decision."

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