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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Your support makes all the difference.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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No updates on Arteta’s contract
When asked if there was an update on his contract situation, Mikel Arteta replied: “No, nothing. I am really happy. I still have a year in my contract, that’s a long time in football.
“The players are happy, the club is happy, no issues. I’m just focusing on the games and winning football matches and that’s the most important thing right now.”
Mikel Arteta more focused on Arsenal’s silverware quest than new contract
Mikel Arteta is “really happy” at Arsenal but content to wait for discussions on a contract extension as he concentrates on the club’s quest for silverware.
The Spaniard’s existing deal at Emirates Stadium expires next summer.
Title challengers Arsenal sit second in the Premier League table – two points behind leaders Liverpool with nine games to go – ahead of hosting struggling Luton on Wednesday evening.
Mikel Arteta more focused on Arsenal’s silverware quest than new contract
The Spaniard’s existing deal at Emirates Stadium expires next summer.
Arteta remembers reverse fixture
The previous Premier League games between these teams ended in a 4-3 victory for Arsenal at Kenilworth Road and it was a scorching game.
Mikel Arteta was asked what he remembers from the match and said: “Especially how tough it was to win, and how difficult they have made it for every team.
“Big compliments to Rob and the coaching staff; what they have done as a club is an amazing journey. I think they deserve more credit than any other team in this league.
“How they have done it and what they transmit as a team and what they generate, it is going to be a really tough match tomorrow.
“It was really emotional and the way we celebrated tells you the difficulty of the match and how much we had to fight for the points so we know what we’re facing tomorrow.”
Arsenal vs Luton officials
Craig Pawson will referee the match between Arsenal and Luton. 118 yellow cards and four red cards have been handed out by Pawson across his 25 games this season.
Here’s the list of officials for this evening’s clash:
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistant Referees: Marc Perry & Steven Meredith
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Tim Robinson
AVAR: Daniel Robathan
Luton’s last outing
Luton Town were just minutes away from taking a crucial point away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday in what would have been a stellar result for the relegation-battling side.
Tahith Chong gave the visitors the lead inside three minutes before an Issa Kaboré own goal and a late winner from Son Heung-min condemned the Hatters to defeat.
Can they bounce back against Arsenal tonight?
Arsenal player Frida Maanum ruled out of international duty following collapse
Frida Maanum is “stable and doing well” following her collapse in the Women’s League Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea, but the player will not be called up for international duty.
The midfielder collapsed on the field off the ball in the 96th minute of the game at Molineux on Sunday, before the match resumed seven minutes later, and Arsenal went on to lift the trophy.
Arsenal have said Maanum is doing well, but she will not be called up for Norway for their upcoming international break when they will take on Finland and the Netherlands in Euro 2025 qualifiers.
Arsenal player Frida Maanum ruled out of international duty following collapse
Maanum collapsed in stoppage time during the Women’s League Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea
Why did Arteta change Arsenal’s style of play against Man City?
Arsenal’s performance against Manchester City was one of dogged defence and breaking up play. It was a switch-up to Mikel Arteta’s usual demand for his team to control possession but it worked perfectly and earned the Gunners a point thanks to a goalless draw.
Arteta says that adapting the gameplan is down to his players’ mentality and lack of ego.
“You have to sometimes because you want to adapt, and sometimes because you have to adapt,” he said earlier in the week, “You have to have that resilience and leave your ego and ideology aside and the way you have to win the game. The team was mentally really strong and it was really clever the way they did it.
“You prepare the game to win it and when you feel that you have what it takes to go there and win, you want to do it and if you don’t you’re not satisfied.
“But at the same time, you have to understand how you’re growing as a team and be smart enough in the moment to accept something else.”
Edwards on taking the game to Arsenal
Rob Edwards is under no illusions that tonight’s match is going to be a tough one for Luton but he is excited by the prospect of taking Arsenal on at the Emirates Stadium.
The Luton boss said: “Arsenal’s defence is pretty stubborn, they don’t give much away. It was a bit of a unique game, sometimes it can be at Kenilworth Road. Since the break around January time, Arsenal have come back and been incredible. I know they didn’t score on the weekend, but they are scoring loads of goals and they are very, very difficult to break down.
“If we are able to go and score three at the Emirates then we’re doing pretty well. We will try to be us and be the best version of us.
“It’s difficult at the moment but, the reverse fixture was a really exciting game. We are going to be lower this time, we know that. They are so good with the ball they are going to force us low and defend really well. We can do a lot of work on that.”
Arteta on motivating his players
“That’s certainly something really important,” said Mikel Arteta when asked how he keeps his players motivated to perform throughout the entire season.
“They really need to feel it, and the best way to feel it is to play minutes. When they don’t have the capacity to show what can do, they have to show it in training.
“We have to be close to them and we have to convince them to keep doing it and earn the right to play.”
Do Arsenal need to win all of their remaining games?
If they want to win the Premier League title this year then Arsenal may have to emulate one of Manchester City’s famous winning runs and claim victories in all of their remaining games.
Mikel Arteta was asked if that was the case in his most recent press conference and replied: “It’s going to have to be really close to that.
“When you see the level and the consistency of the other teams and historically what is needed to win in this league, it’s not going to be very far from that.
“This is where we want to be and now we want to take this opportunity and make it happen. We worked every single day with that enthusiasm and passion to make it happen and enjoying the moment as well.
“I see the team really flowing and they are really excited about playing each game and that has to drive this energy until the end. I am full of energy and it’s the most beautiful part of the season.”
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