Arsenal does not make an excessive effort, but they do dethrone Liverpool

Arsenal has regained the top position in the Premier League. The Gunners won 2-0 against low-flying Luton Town in their own Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. Liverpool drops to second place and has one point less than Arsenal, but takes back first place on Thursday evening with a win over bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.

Bukayo Saka was rested by manager Mikel Arteta due to a hamstring injury. Reiss Nelson replaced the star player and therefore had a starting place at Arsenal for the first time since July 2020. Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard were the other attackers for the home club. Emile Smith Rowe started on the left in midfield and there were also starting places for Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice started on the bench for the title contender.

Arsenal pressed from the start and were rewarded in the 23rd minute. Luton suffered a sloppy loss of ball, after which Havertz enabled Martin Ødegaard to slide the 1-0 into the bottom left corner. Luton then bit back a bit more, but it was not enough to really make it difficult for Arsenal's defense.

It was Arsenal who scored again shortly before the half-time whistle. Smith Rowe passed on the back line to Nelson, who seemed to score the 2-0. However, the final push towards the far corner was given by the hapless Luton defender Daiki Hashioka. The last achievement before half time was a free kick from Ross Barkley, who could not worry goalkeeper David Raya at all with his attempt from just outside the box.

Arsenal's lead was no longer in danger in the second half. For the visitors, Tahith Chong was allowed to appear in the 53rd minute, but the Dutch attacker could not bring Luton back into the match. It became clear that the home club slowed down after the break, given the packed schedule in April.

Arteta made his first substitutions after 65 minutes of play. Havertz and Thomas Partey were replaced by Rice and Eddie Nketiah, who last scored for Arsenal in October. With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Zinchenko and Nelson also left, with the still fresh Takehiro Tomiyasu and Martinelli as their replacements.

Luton, which saw competitor Nottingham Forest beat Fulham 3-1 on Tuesday, was unable to achieve a great comeback. The number eighteen remains three points below the relegation zone and will get a new chance against Bournemouth on Saturday. Arsenal continue their hunt for the title against Brighton & Hove Albion on the same day.














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