Arsenal defeat Luton at Emirates to top Premier League

Arsenal defeated struggling Luton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday to dislodge Liverpool from the top of the Premier League table.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard opened the scoring midway through the first half and an own goal just before the break gave the much-changed home side a cushion.

The Gunners, with top-scorer Bukayo Saka absent, dominated possession in the opening stages at the Emirates Stadium but created few clear-cut openings in front of an expectant crowd.

But they broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, courtesy of a sweet left-footed strike by Odegaard.

Emile Smith Rowe, who has been a peripheral figure this season, dispossessed the dawdling Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu inside the visitors’ half.

He fed Odegaard, who played a one-two with Kai Havertz before stroking the ball home for his 10th goal of the season.

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Arsenal doubled their lead in the 44th minute thanks to an own goal from Luton defender Daiki Hashioka, who turned into his own net following more good work down the left by Smith Rowe.

The home side, playing in second gear, had just three shots on target in the first half but were well worth their lead.

The result lifts Arsenal to 68 points – one ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who host bottom side Sheffield United on Thursday.

Arsenal, who have conceded just four goals in the league in 2024, travel to Brighton on Saturday before hosting Aston Villa on April 14.

In between those matches they welcome Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Speaking after the game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “We want to be at the top. Winning our games is the only thing we can do.

“We managed to rotate and freshen the team up a bit. Those who came in did really, really well.”

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as defending champions Manchester City crushed fourth-placed Aston Villa 4-1 to move level on points with Liverpool.

Brentford also drew 0-0 with Brighton to edge further clear of the drop zone.

The Star