Arsenal cruise past Luton Town for return to Premier League summit | Football News

Arsenal beat struggling Luton Town 2-0 on Wednesday to knock Liverpool off the top of the Premier League table and take the lead again in a thrilling three-way title race. Gunners captain Martin Odegaard opened the scoring midway through the first half and an own goal before the break gave a much-changed home side a cushion. The result moved Arsenal to 68 points ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who host bottom side Sheffield United on Thursday.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as defending champions Manchester City beat fourth-placed Aston Villa 4-1 to move level on points with Liverpool.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told the BBC: “We want to be at the top – winning games is the only thing we can do.”

“We have successfully rotated the team and given it a fresh look,” he added. “Those guys that came in did a really, really good job.”

In the absence of top scorer Bukayo Saka, Arteta’s side dominated possession in the early stages at the Emirates Stadium but created few clear openings in front of an expectant crowd.

But in the 24th minute, Odegaard broke the deadlock with a beautiful left-footed shot.

Emile Smith Rowe, who has been a fringe player this season, robbed the dawdling Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu inside the visitors’ half.

He fed Odegaard, who played a one-two with Kai Havertz before slotting home his 10th goal of the season.

Smith Rowe Influence

Arsenal doubled their lead in the 44th minute thanks to an own goal from Luton defender Daiki Hashioka, who found the back of the net after Smith Rowe’s superb strike from the left.

The home team played in the second period and only had three shots on goal in the first half, but their lead was well worth it.

Much of the second half was lackluster, although Luton became more involved in the game and looked for chances to get back into the game.

Arteta brought on midfielder Declan Rice and striker Eddie Nketiah, and brought on Gabriel Martinelli with 15 minutes remaining.

Arsenal substitute Takehiro Tomiyasu’s shot from close range went just wide, with Nketiah forcing a save from onrushing Thomas Kaminski in the final minutes.

They failed to score a third goal, but there was little panic at the end of the game.

The Gunners, who have not been crowned champions of England since 2004, maintained a leading pace for much of last season, only to see their performance slip as the finish line neared.

However, their style has become more determined and they have now won nine of their last 10 league games, with the only blip being Sunday’s goalless draw with Manchester City.

Arsenal, who have conceded just four goals in the 2024 league campaign, travel to Brighton on Saturday before hosting Villa on April 14.

In between these games, they will face Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Beating Luton leaves Rob Edwards’ side third from bottom in England’s top flight, three points adrift of safety and facing an immediate return to the Championship.

Brentford drew 0-0 with Brighton to move further out of the relegation zone.

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