Before the Reds’ match on Thursday against Sheffield United, the Gunners did not tremble against Luton (2-0).
Arsenal, with a partly reshuffled team, easily defeated Luton (2-0) on Wednesday in London to move to the top of the Premier League, awaiting Liverpool’s match on Thursday against Sheffield United. Coach Mikel Arteta gave Jorginho, Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus a breather at the kick-off, without losing defensive solidity or offensive efficiency, against a promoted and first relegation team who was nonetheless not very threatening.
The “Gunners” take first place with 68 points, one more than Liverpool who receive the red lantern at Anfield on Thursday (8:30 p.m.). Manchester City (64 pts) will remain third regardless of their result on Wednesday evening against Aston Villa. Arsenal can now look ahead to the four summits to come, against Brighton then Aston Villa in the Premier League, and against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and away legs.
A slightly revamped face of Arsenal
At the Emirates on Wednesday, Arsenal had a slightly changed face due to Arteta’s choices coupled with the absence of Bukayo Saka, package. One of the winners of the rotation was Emile Smith Rowe, to his advantage for one of his rare presences in the starting lineup.
The 23-year-old English midfielder, given a standing ovation upon his exit (85th), was involved in both goals. First with pressing, by recovering the ball which his captain Martin Odegaard (24th, 1-0) will exploit, then with the pass, with a strong cross for Nelson pushed into his own goal by Daiki Hashioka (44th, 2-0 ). Luton remains eighteenth, three points behind the first non-relegation place, Nottingham Forest.
