Title-chasing Arsenal will want to set the record straight against Luton Town, who are eager to get some space in the relegation battle.
Arsenal, who face Luton Town this midweek, went to the Etihad and put in a defensive masterclass to shut out Manchester City The Gunners also ensured they snapped their hosts’ record of scoring in 57 consecutive games at the venue. And even though Pep Guardiola’s side dominated possession, the North Londoners restricted them to just 12 shots with only one on target.
It was the second time that Arsenal restricted Manchester City to just a single shot on target while their central defenders kept a certain Erling Haaland awfully quiet over 180 minutes. The result seemed like what the Gunners wanted in the context of the title race, although Liverpool’s win over Brighton & Hove allowed the Merseysiders to open a two-point advantage at the summit.
The Gunners now entertain Luton Town, who have had the distinction of being the only team to score three goals past Arsenal this season in all competition. Mikel Arteta would certainly want a more controlled game than the one they experienced at Kenilworth Road in December. The Arsenal boss will demand a win and keep pace with leaders Liverpool heading into the next matchday.
Rob Edwards will lead his team back to North London in a space of a few days after their disappointing outing against Tottenham. Luton Town did give Ange Postecoglou’s side a run for their money as they held their own for a long time after Tahith Chong’s early strike gave them the lead.
Issa Kabore could not sort his feet out as he bundled the ball into his net from a Brennan Johnson cross, and then Son Heung-min scored a late winner with a fortunate deflection to seal the three points. Nottingham Forest’s draw against Crystal Palace put Nuno Espirito Santo’s men outside of the relegation zone, as they will hope and pray for an Arsenal victory in midweek.
Edwards would want another comprehensive performance, as Luton could find themselves in a bit of trouble with another loss. They will come to the Emirates with the will to fight their battles but, at the same time, hope for Fulham to beat Nottingham Forest and keep the gap between them close before heading into the weekend.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will rotate his squad for the midweek clash against Luton Town, as he will have to manage a congested period of upcoming fixtures. The main focus for the Spaniard will be to keep his best players fit for the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. So, there are chances of rotations for the clash with the Hatters.
Before the Manchester City game, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka barely trained but still featured. Saka was taken off late in the game due to fatigue. While many may anticipate Arteta will start him on the bench, the England international might recover and start on Wednesday.
With Martinelli, he may side with caution and start the winger from the bench again. Gabriel Jesus was outstanding on the flank on Sunday and might retain his place. Should Arteta rest Saka, then Trossard and the Brazilian have chances to feature alongside Kai Havertz in the front three.
Thomas Partey could start a game for the first time since August, as he was sharp in a cameo against City. He could replace Jorginho, as Arteta would want to give the Italian international some rest, and he seems like the first choice to start alongside Declan Rice. Takehiro Tomiyasu also has a chance to make his first start in months, as he could replace Ben White, while Oleksandr Zinchenko could start in place of Jakub Kiwior.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Tomiyasu; Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Luton Town
The loss to Tottenham did add to Luton Town’s treatment room, with three of the starters from that game suffering knocks. Reece Burke, Alfie Doughty, and Tahith Chong all suffered knocks in the Spurs game and are doubtful about the trip to the Emirates, considering the time between the two clashes.
With the trio now significant doubts, Luton Town’s injury list is now up to 13 players. At the same time, Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga cannot take part due to his ineligibility to face his parent club. Edwards might look at Daiki Hashioka, Cauley Woodrow, and Jordan Clark to replace the doubtful trio, although there is still hope that Chong will make it through.
Edwards might continue to play with his variation of the 4-3-3, with Clark, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Ross Barkley taking their midfield spots. With Chong expected to make it through, he could retain his place on the left side of the front three.
Andros Townsend could bring his experience in such a game and play on the right side of the attacking third. With Elijah Adebayo still absent through an injury, Carlton Morris is best placed to lead the line for the Hatters.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kaminski; Kabore, Hashioka, Mengi, Doughty; Clark, Mpanzu, Barkley; Townsend, Morris, Chong
Key Stats
- Arsenal are undefeated in their last nine matches in the Premier League.
- Arsenal have kept 12 clean sheets, more than any other team in the division.
- Arsenal has won all their five games against newly-promoted teams in the Premier League this season.
- Luton Town are winless in their last ten games.
- Luton Town are the only side to score three goals past Arsenal this season in any competition.
Player to Watch
Declan Rice
The imperious Arsenal midfielder has been in superb form, and Arteta will hope that continues into the last leg and the most crucial part of the season. The English international was excellent against Manchester City at the weekend, but many have spoken about the risk of overplaying him in games like the one this midweek.
Mikel Arteta must manage Rice’s time well, although it is impossible for the manager to rest Rice, and the midfielder would not want that at all. He also wants to replicate his performance against Luton Town the last time out when he got an injury-time winner at Kenilworth Road.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 Luton Town
Luton Town certainly hold the distinction of troubling this Arsenal defence like no other team this season, which may give them hope at the Emirates. That hope only extends to potentially scoring an odd goal, but the injury crisis may prevent Rob Edwards from naming his best lineup.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are brimming with confidence and will aim for a 10th game without losing. Only this time, Mikel Arteta will demand a big win over their hosts, as the Gunners will want to stay right on the trails of Liverpool in the title race. The North Londoners are the clear favourites to take three points here and keep their spot at the top end of the table.
