Arsenal cruise past Luton, return to Premier League summit

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Arsenal coasted to a 2-0 win over struggling Luton on Wednesday to dislodge Liverpool from the highest of the Premier League desk, as soon as once more edging forward in an exhilarating three-way title tussle.

Gunners captain Martin Odegaard opened the scoring halfway by way of the primary half and an personal aim simply earlier than the break gave the much-changed dwelling aspect a cushion.

The consequence lifts Arsenal to 68 factors — one forward of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who host backside aspect Sheffield United on Thursday.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as defending champions Manchester Metropolis crushed fourth-placed Aston Villa 4-1 to maneuver degree on factors with Liverpool.

“We need to be on the prime — successful our video games is the one factor we are able to do,” Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta informed the BBC.

“We managed to rotate and freshen the staff up a bit,” he added. “Those that got here in did actually, very well.”

Arteta’s males, with top-scorer Bukayo Saka absent, dominated possession within the opening levels on the Emirates however created few clear-cut openings in entrance of an expectant crowd.

However they broke the impasse within the twenty fourth minute, courtesy of a candy left-footed strike by Odegaard.

Emile Smith Rowe, who has been a peripheral determine this season, dispossessed the dawdling Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu contained in the guests’ half.

He fed Odegaard, who performed a one-two with Kai Havertz earlier than stroking the ball dwelling for his tenth aim of the season.

Smith Rowe impression

Arsenal doubled their lead within the forty fourth minute because of an personal aim from Luton defender Daiki Hashioka, who become his personal internet following extra good work down the left by Smith Rowe.

The house aspect, taking part in in second gear, had simply three pictures heading in the right direction within the first half however had been effectively value their lead.

The majority of the second half was flat, though Luton got here into the sport extra, probing for a gap to haul themselves again into the competition.

Arteta introduced on midfielder Declan Rice and ahead Eddie Nketiah, introducing Gabriel Martinelli with quarter-hour to play.

Arsenal substitute Takehiro Tomiyasu went shut, bending one simply extensive, and Nketiah pressured a save from the scrambling Thomas Kaminski within the closing minutes.

They had been unable to attain a 3rd however noticed the sport out with few alarms.

The Gunners, who haven’t been topped English champions since 2004, set the tempo for the majority of final season earlier than flagging because the ending line approached.

However, including metal to their fashion, they’ve now received 9 of their previous 10 league video games, with the one blip in that sequence a goalless draw in opposition to Metropolis on Sunday.

Arsenal, who’ve conceded simply 4 objectives within the league in 2024, journey to Brighton on Saturday earlier than internet hosting Villa on April 14.

In between these matches they welcome Bayern Munich within the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Defeat for depleted Luton leaves Rob Edwards’ aspect third from backside of the English prime flight, three factors from security, and dealing with a direct return to the Championship.

Brentford drew 0-0 with Brighton to edge additional away from the drop zone.