Two first-half goals helped Arsenal cruise back to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 defeat of Luton Town at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Martin Odegaard scored early and a Daiki Hashioka own goal doubled Arsenal’s advantage before the break, as Arsenal limited Luton to two shot attempts and 0.10 expected goals over 90 minutes.
Arsenal’s 68 points are one more than Liverpool, who play Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday.
WATCH ARSENAL v LUTON FULL MATCH REPLAY
The Gunners received plenty of criticism for their ultra-defensive display in their 0-0 draw at Manchester City on Sunday but Mikel Arteta’s much-changed men were ready to go from the outset versus the Hatters. Emile Smith-Rowe, Thomas Partey, Reiss Nelson, and Leandro Trossard were unusual starters in the win, and Kai Havertz assisted Odegaard’s opener.
Injury-ravaged Luton continue to punch well above their weight as they lost late on at Tottenham on Saturday after taking an early lead, but the Hatters moved closer to relegated with this expected loss. Luton’s 22 points are three behind Forest and four back of Everton, with the Toffees having played one fewer game than both.
Gunners get win while saving legs for big week
Arsenal will be asked quite a bit over the next week or so, with a visit to Brighton challenging Mikel Arteta’s men leading into a huge Champions League quarterfinal tie with Bayern Munich. So it was very good for Arteta to be able to completely rest Bukayo Saka on the day while only asking 23 minutes of Declan Rice, 15 of Gabriel Martinelli, and five of Jorginho. The energy in Arsenal’s legs given their depth challenges compared to Manchester City and Liverpool — when healthy — may end up being the difference between a Premier League win and coming short of their goals.
Arsenal 2-0 Luton Town player ratings (fotmob.com)
Arsenal 2-0 Luton Town player ratings (fotmob.com)
Arsenal 2-0 Luton Town player ratings (fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Arsenal go to Brighton at 12:30pm ET Saturday, then host Bayern Munich at 3pm ET Tuesday in a Champions League quarterfinal first leg.
Luton host Bournemouth at 10am ET Saturday.
How to watch Arsenal vs Luton live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2:30pm ET, Wednesday (April 3)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch live online via NBC.com
Arsenal 2-0 Luton live updates — By Nick Mendola
Arsenal vs Luton Town final score: 2-0
Goalscorers: Odegaard (24'), Hashioka (o.g. 44')
Halftime — Arsenal 2-0 Luton
A deserved lead for the Gunners, who are doing this while resting Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli.
It would be stunning for this to go any other way but the Gunners taking first place back for at least 24 hours or so.
Lead doubled through own goal — Arsenal 2-0 Luton (44th minute)
It’s an own goal, and Arsenal can already feel pretty good about the eventual fate of this one.
Havertz saved
Arsenal get into the Luton final third again off a nice turn by Ben White.
It ends with Kai Havertz shooting from an acute angle and being blocked by Hatters keeper Thomas Kaminski.
Then it’s Thomas Partey in tight but flummoxed by a well-timed slide. Still 1-0.
Gunners strike first through Odegaard — Arsenal 1-0 Luton (24th minute)
Kai Havertz drives the ball toward the 18, playing a ball in front of two Luton defenders toward Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian spins a first-time shot inside the near post, and Arsenal turns 70% of the ball and the first six shots of the game into a 1-0 lead.
Arsenal lineup
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Smith-Rowe, Odegaard, Nelson, Trossard, Havertz
Luton lineup
Kaminski, ONyedinma, Kabore, Mengi, Hashioka, Doughty, Mpanzu, Barkley, Clark, Townsend, Morris.
Arsenal focus, team news
The likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Leandro Trossard could all come into the Arsenal lineup but it’s likely that Arteta will make very few changes from the start as he aims to keep Arsenal’s rhythm. Bukayo Saka limped off at Manchester City on Sunday and walked out of the stadium gingerly after the game.
OUT: Jurrien Timber (torn ACL - out for season)
Luton focus, team news
The injuries Luton continue to suffer has been very damaging but the way they keep hanging in there is extraordinary. They pushed Tottenham all the way last time out but it is now nine games without a win for the Hatters. But aside from this game against Arsenal and a trip to Manchester City, they have six other very winnable games to finish the season and four of those are at home. Never write off the Hatters.
OUT: Elijah Adebayo (thigh), Albert Sambi Lokonga (thigh), Chiedozie Ogbene (hamstring), Jacob Brown (knee), Tom Lockyer (heart), Dan Potts (thigh), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Mads Andersen (calf), Amari’i Bell (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Alfie Doughty (knock), Tahith Chong (knock), Reece Burke (knock), Gabriel Osho (knee)