A stoppage-time header by Declan Rice sealed a dramatic 4-3 win for Arsenal against Luton in a topsy-turvy encounter at Kenilworth Road. After the game, the midfielder and teammate Bukayo Saka faced questions from the Amazon Prime team.
Here’s what they had to say…
On how he sums up that win…
Declan Rice: Exactly what I said before the game. You know, Luton are a top side.They can no way be overlooked in this league because of the quality that they’ve got. They made us pay tonight on set pieces, us being sloppy at the back. But for us to obviously score last minute and keep that momentum building is massive for us this season.
On why Arsenal struggled this evening…
Bukayo Saka: Everyone knows it’s not an easy place to come, but I wouldn’t say we didn’t perform our best today. I thought we created a lot of chances. Obviously, Luton are always going to have their way of playing with their fans and their direct play, long balls and stuff like that. I think we conceded two set pieces. But apart from that, I thought that we were in control most of the game.
On an important win at this point in the season…
DR: I think you’ve got to take it every game as it comes. Obviously, he [Bukayo] was here last year when they were eight points clear. I feel like we’ve learned a lot as a group, especially with me coming in and understanding the team. There are so many good teams in this league this year and anything can happen. It’s just about us, not worrying about anyone else and just keep doing what the manager wants and that’s ticking the games off and keep getting three points each week.
On a fifth stoppage game goal of the season…
BS: I mean, if we’re winning, then it’s a good stat. We’ll take it.
On making his 200th appearance for Arsenal…
BS: I think there’s no better way to play a 200th appearance for Arsenal, the club that I love. To get one like that, I’m so happy. It’s a brilliant night for me.
On whether he knew his header was going in…
DR: To be honest with you, we was knocking on the door. When the ball got rolled back to Martin, the guy was man-marking me. I just kind of shifted in that way and then went off his back shoulder. I attacked it. Anything could happen. It went in the bottom corner and in those moments you look back on, to be honest with you, I’m taking it all in because what a game. And obviously to score the winner is an honour.
On Saka setting up Martinelli’s first…
BS: Yeah, I saw the space and we exploited it and got a goal from it. You don’t always get space in games like this, so when you see it, you have to take it with both your hands.
That’s what I need late on a Tuesday night before having to get up at 5am, an adrenaline rush so high I’ll be up til 4.45am COYG
Hahahaha, same boat. Fucks sake.
It’s 4 15am 8m india and I have work tomo and I’m buzzzzzing
Much respect
Is Daveod simply Daveo after ODing on adrenaline?
Ha I believe we are to separate entities
It’s 2:30 in Nairobi Kenya. I have to get up at 5 am but the adrenaline rush is so intense I don’t see myself getting a wink but who cares? I love it when Arsenal wins a game, be it a friendly or a CL match!
Late shift for me so i will bask in the glory of 3 away points and rerun game in bed, sorry dog as mrs has gone to work and you cannot talk to her your early walkies is going to be a late one…
The ref denied us a stonewall penalty and allowed the Luton players to get really physical with our players. I knew they would start to make it hard for us to get decisions our way after Mikel’s rhetoric the other day. Bent, corrupt, and useless organization, the PGMOL. I hate them so much.
I thought it was refereed pretty well tbh. I mean, he allowed an extra 30 seconds of stoppage time which was pretty essential
I am so thrilled for Kai Havertz. How that lad has silenced his mockers.
Four Epl goals already; five in all competitions. At this rate, he’ll have more goal contributions in his first season at Arsenal than Granit Xhaka in his best season. Beyond that, his off the ball abd defensive contributions is top notch. Great signing. Arteta Knows.
Yeah the confidence he has now – a completely different player. Get’s people off his back and now he can breathe and play with freedom. Chuffed for him.
Yes, he seems to have got past the early period of doubt and found his self-belief. He looks like a different player now he’s got a few goals to his credit.
These guys. Seriously, these guys.
I absolutely love these 2 😀
How long will Arteta persist with Raya? Two really sloppy goals given away last night
Raya absolutely dreadful performance from him 2 goals we conceded were totally down to him he should have done better how arteta can support him after that game is totally beyond me
A win is a win. Those three points might end up being crucial come the end of the season. The way that the guys dug deep, got back to level at 3-3 and then pretty much dominated the closing stages was pretty awesome and Declan’s goal was stunning. However, the overall performance wasn’t really that great. We struggled against their direct playing style and too often we were sloppy in the space between the two penalty areas. The defence was good at times but we were bullied for both the goals from corners, with Raya being completely overwhelmed for the… Read more »