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
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.
Relive the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
78 mins: Martinelli has slotted in on the right side of the pitch instead of his usual position on the left wing. He makes a nice run into the box but Luton swarm him quickly and Arsenal are forced to retreat.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
75 mins: Oleksandr Zinchenko and Reiss Nelson are taken off for Arsenal now with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Martinelli brought on.
Martinelli was a bright spark against Manchester City for the few minutes that he played. Can he repeat that performance tonight with the time remaining?
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
72 mins: The home fans are starting to chant for Arsenal but it’s Luton who are using the initiative. Chong sends the ball out wide to Townsend who bombs down the line and looks for a cross before winning a throw in.
This has been a good period for the Hatters, can they score?
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
69 mins: Clark hooks a decent pass into the penalty area but finds a red shirt and Arsenal work the ball clear. The hosts are in no rush now. They’re holding their shape and letting Luton play with the ball.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
66 mins: Kai Havertz tries to get around Jordan Clark who looks to stick out a leg before withdrawing away from the tackle. Havertz drops to the floor anyway and is booked for diving!
It’s his last act of the match as Mikel Arteta goes to the subs bench. Declan Rice and Eddie Nketiah are brought on with Havertz and Thomas Partey the men departing.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
63 mins: Onyedinma scuffs a low shot at goal but there’s no power behind the effort and David Raya scoops the ball up without too much trouble.
It’ll go down as a shot on target for Luton who are starting to show some signs of life inside the final third.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
60 mins: An hour played at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal are comfortably in control of this match despite the changes made to the starting XI.
Smith Rowe has been energetic, Havertz a focal point and Trossard a persistant nuisance. It’s been tough work for Luton so far.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
57 mins: Ben White pokes the ball away from Chong and gets Arsenal moving up the pitch. Odegaard plays a short pass to the edge of the box where Nelson looks to control the ball.
Making up for his error, Chong tracks back and comes together with the Arsenal man who goes to ground looking for a penalty. The referee waves it away.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
54 mins: Here comes Tahith Chong for Luton. He comes on to replace Mpanzu for the visitors and will have over half and hour to make his mark of the game.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton
51 mins: Havertz runs into space down the left-hand channel but waits for his teammates to join him. Trossard darts into the box and is fed the ball by Smith Rowe.
Onyedinma reads the play and cuts across Trossard to shield the ball and win Luton a free kick.
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