Arsenal returned to the helm of the Premier League table on Wednesday, with a 2-0 win over Luton Town enough for Mikel Arteta’s side to clinch the top spot ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Sheffield United on Thursday.
Martin Ødegaard opened the scoring after 24 minutes in North London, before an own goal from Daiki Hashioka doubled their lead just before the break.
As it happened
A plethora of changes were made by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta ahead of Wednesday’s clash against a struggling Luton Town side, with the importance of the fixture not lost on the Spaniard.
The hosts roared into the lead before the half-hour mark through Martin Ødegaard, with the Norwegian midfielder rifling home after being fed by Kai Havertz, just moments after Emile Smith Rowe had bodied Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu off the ball in midfield.
Embed from Getty ImagesTheir lead would be doubled by the break – Thomas Kaminski was merely able to stand and watch in disbelief as Daiki Hashioka picked out the back of this own net in a desperate attempt to stop Reiss Nelson inside the penalty area.
To their credit, Luton Town defended resolutely throughout the second half and forced chances of their own – and perhaps the outcome of the match could have differed, had Ross Barkley not been denied a free-kick effort by David Raya on the stroke of half-time.
The lineups
ARS: Raya; Zinchenko, Gabriel, Saliba, White; Smith Rowe, Partey, Ødegaard; Trossard, Havertz, Nelson
LUT: Kaminski; Kaboré, Mengi, Hashioka; Doughty, Mpanzu, Barkley, Onyedinma; Clark, Townsend; Morris
