Arsenal vs Luton LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Gunners go top with win over Hatters
Arsenal 2-0 Luton Town: The Gunners move ahead of Liverpool after Martin Odegaard’s strike and Daiki Hashioka’s own goal
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Arsenal returned to the summit of the Premier League with a confident and comfortable display at the Emirates Stadium as they defeated Luton 2-0 in this midweek clash.
For the start Arsenal look in control, passing the ball slickly despite manager Mikel Arteta making five changes and leaving Bukayo Saka out of the matchday squad. Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard combined for the opener with the German squaring a pass to his captain who drilled home with 24 minutes on the clock.
The second came just before half-time and was slightly fortuitous. Emile Smith Rowe darting in from the left pulled a pass back that struck Daiki Hashioka and finished in the back of the net.
There were no nerves from the Gunners in the second half. The managed the game brilliantly, kept Luton’s chances to a minimum and secured all three points.
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Calm win over Luton shows how Mikel Arteta has learned from Arsenal’s previous title challenge
A win that almost seems like a moment of lightness, ahead of the heaviest period of the season.
Against a Luton Town team facing an injury crisis, Arsenal rested a number of players themselves to easily win 2-0.
Martin Odegaard’s inspired finish was the only time they needed to rise above it, although a move that produced an own goal secured the three points that put Arsenal back on top - at least for now.
As regards that, and whether they can be there at the end, the rest for key players while winning is almost as important as the win itself. Arsenal maintained momentum while allowing a bit of a refresh.
Calm win over Luton shows how Arteta has learned from Arsenal’s last title challenge
Arsenal 2-0 Luton Town: The Gunners moved back to the top of the table with an easy win over the Hatters.
Luton boss Rob Edwards, speaking to TNT Sports:
“Parts of it were exceptional. After we went 1-0 down we saw a bit more of us, we were a bit braver and committed to be the team we wanted to be.
“I saw so many good things out there today. I thought the second half was an excellent performance by us.
“To stay in the game and still be in the game late on was really pleasing. We were aggressive but when we got into the final third we were lacking that final pass.
“I am really proud of the lads. It is hard to be at our best but we have come to Arsenal and lost 2-0 - that happens to many teams. There is no shame in that, I thought there were loads of good things.
“Tonight was never going to define our season. Saturday, Bournemouth in the last 20 games are around fifth in the table so it won’t be easy, but our focus goes onto Saturday.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC MOTD:
“We managed to rotate and freshen the team up a bit. Those who came in did really, really well.
“We scored two very good goals and in the second half, credit to Luton they are a really good side and difficult to play against but overall a win and another clean sheet and in a couple of days we play again.
“To have a squad they have to play. We have to make those decisions. The contribution they make to the team was very good. Now we recover and go again because we have Brighton away.
“As a manager you are always looking at it and analysing and they make it really tough for you, credit to them. I wish them the best because they are a very likeable team.
“We want to be at the top, winning our games is the only thing we can do.”
FT Arsenal 2-0 Luton
The north London club have also extended their unbeaten streak in home PL matches against promoted sides to 39 games (W34 D5).
FT Arsenal 2-0 Luton
Arsenal have won their first league double over Luton since the 1983-84 season. They have now won each of the past 11 home league matches against them, scoring at least two goals in each.
Full-time! Arsenal 2-0 Luton
90+4 mins: The goes the final whistle and Arsenal head back to the top of the Premier League table following this relatively easy victory over Luton.
The Hatters remain in the relegation zone but they’ve put in another strong showing that could just lift them to safety id they can repeat it against the teams around them.
Mikel Arteta has his three points, Arsenal’s title challenge goes on.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
90 mins: There’s going to be four minutes of added time to play at the end of this game. Can Luton get themselves a goal?
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
88 mins: Eddie Nketiah almost beats Thomas Kaminski with a dragged shot to the near post. The Luton goalkeeper jumps to his right and palms the ball wide of the post.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
85 mins: Hashioka tries to make amends for his earlier own goal with a belting strike from the edge of the box. He struck the ball well but Gabriel was on hand to block the effort and clear the danger.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
81 mins: It’s simple stuff for Arsenal now. Keep possession, dart forward occassionally and make sure Luton don’t recover the ball inside the Gunners’ half.
The match is meandering to its conclusion.
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