Arsenal, with several changes to the starting lineup, won with ease the modest Luton Town 2-0 this Wednesday (3), in London, and provisionally took the lead in the English Championship.
With the victory, the ‘Gunners’ will sleep at the top of the table with 68 points, one ahead of Liverpool, who play on Thursday against bottom club Sheffield United, and Manchester City (3rd), who thrashed Aston Villa ( 4th) by 4 to 1.
Without Bukayo Saka, injured, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta decided to rest midfielders Jorginho and Declan Rice and striker Gabriel Jesus, but the team did not lose its defensive solidity and offensive efficiency, against an opponent who occupies the relegation zone .
One of those who benefited from the rotation was midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, in one of his rare appearances in the starting lineup.
Rowe, 23, received a huge ovation from fans at the Emirates Stadium when he was substituted five minutes from the final whistle.
He was decisive in Arsenal’s two goals in the match: first pressing and recovering the ball at the beginning of the play that ended with captain Martin Odegaard opening the scoring (24′), and then with a cross for Reiss Nelson that defender Daiki Hashioka deflected against the goal itself (44′).
In the second half, with more chances to score, Rob Edwards’ Luton showed a little more ambition, but without bothering Spanish goalkeeper David Raya.
Arsenal, who have won nine of their last ten Premier League games (drawing with Manchester City), have conceded just four goals in the league so far in 2024.
“We want to be at the top, winning our games is the only thing we can do,” Arteta told the BBC. “We managed to rotate the team and give it a bit of freshness,” added the Basque coach.
With the result, Luton remains in 18th place, three points behind the first team outside the relegation zone, Nottingham Forest (17th).
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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