Arsenal 2-0 Luton Town - Arsenal go top of Premier League as Martin Odegaard scores early in comfortable win over Luton
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Updated 03/04/2024 at 21:30 GMT
Arsenal moved top of the Premier League table on Wednesday evening, with captain Martin Odegaard scoring early in what ended up being a very routine 2-0 win over struggling Luton Town at the Emirates. Arsenal were in cruise control for most of the evening with a depleted Luton unable to really trouble David Raya in the Gunners’ goal. That puts the pressure on rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Kai Havertz during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Luton Town at Emirates Stadium on April 03, 2024 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal continued their quest for a first Premier League title since 2004 by moving top of the table with a dominant 2-0 win over relegation-haunted Luton Town at the Emirates.
Manager Mikel Arteta opted to make five changes from the dour 0-0 draw at champions Manchester City on Sunday with Reiss Nelson handed a first league start in four years, but it made little difference to the outcome against a spirited but limited visiting side plagued by their own injury problems.
Inspirational home captain Martin Odegaard raced onto a square pass from Kai Havertz to thump home the opener on 24 minutes before Daiki Hashioka turned an Emile Smith Rowe cross into his own net on 44 minutes under pressure from Nelson.
Arsenal could not add to their lead in the second half, but move onto 68 points from 30 matches, one clear of title rivals Liverpool, who host Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday evening live on TNT Sports. City are also a point off the summit after a 4-1 drubbing of Aston Villa.
England winger Bukayo Saka missed the match due to a tight hamstring problem, but Arteta will hope his leading goalscorer returns at Brighton on Saturday night.
Luton remain firmly in the drop zone in 18th place after an 11th straight league loss at Arsenal.
Rob Edwards' team are three points behind Nottingham Forest, who cling to the safety of 17th spot, with Luton's next assignment a crucial home encounter at Kenilworth Road against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Talking Point: Powerful Arsenal show strength of squad
A much-changed Arsenal produced a professional performance as they showed off their considerable attacking wares after earning a 0-0 draw at Manchester City with a stout defensive effort.
Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard and Oleksandr Zinchenko can all be pleased with their contributions on a fruitful night.
"I was really impressed with him," said Arteta on TNT Sports about Nelson's first league start for the club since he faced Liverpool in July 2020. "He has been training really well and we felt the game could suit us.
"I'm really pleased for the boys who came in."
Player of the Match: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
The Norwegian playmaker scored a delightful opening goal for the home side, and was always a vibrant source of creativity as he helped his side secure another pivotal three points in the title chase.
Player Ratings
Arsenal: Raya 7, White 7, Saliba 7, Gabriel 8, Zinchenko 7, Odegaard 8, Partey 7, Smith Rowe 7, Nelson 7, Havertz 7, Trossard 7 Subs: Tomiyasu 6, Rice 6, Jorginho 6, Nketiah 6, Martinelli 6
Luton: Kaminski 7, Onyedinma 6, Kabore 6, Mengi 6, Hashioka 6, Doughty 7, Mpanzu 6, Barkley 6, Clark 6, Townsend 7, Morris 7 Subs: Berry 6, Woodrow 6, Chong 6
Match Highlights
24' GOAL! (ODEGAARD) ARSENAL 1-0 LUTON: Lovely goal from the Gunners. Sweet attacking football from the home side as Luton give up possession before Odegaard races onto the Havertz square pass to smash home the ball low and hard into the corner.
35' DECENT STOP BY LUTON KEEPER: Kaminski doing his bit to make the stop from Smith Rowe, who is clearly loving his evening out so far. Mengi is needing some treatment here so the play is stopped.
41' LUTON SO CLOSE TO SHIPPING SECOND GOAL: Kaminski with another solid stop to half the Havertz effort before Doughty does just enough to nudge the ball off Partey as he raced in looking to tap home a second. Luton living very dangerously.
44' GOAL! (HASHIOKA OG) ARSENAL 2-0 LUTON: Five changes for Arsenal, and two goals. Nelson celebrates his first league start in four years by landing on the lovely Smith Rowe cutback to make it two. Or was it a Hashioka own goal? No matter. Arsenal on easy street.
88' ARSENAL CHASE A LATE THIRD: Bit of a non-event this second period with Arsenal in control, but Nketiah forces a timely diving stop by Thomas Kaminski in the visiting goal.
Key Stat
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