Arsenal enjoyed an electric, if predictable, 2-0 win over Luton to put them back to top of the league with Martin Odegaard and Reiss Nelson enjoying the goal-scoring glory.
The Emirates were treated to a much changed team to the one that come up against Manchester City with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson benefitting rare starts in the absence of Bukayo Saka.
The opening ten minutes were all Arsenal’s with Odegaard providing plenty of opportunity for his side to score and both Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko offering forceful attempts but the ball remained out of Kaminski’s net. It did, however, feel like it was only a matter of time.
After a brief period of possession from Luton, Emile Smith Rowe soon stole the ball back and the home side soon earned their first reward. Wonderful play between Kai Havertz and the Gunners’ captain saw Martin Odegaard fire the ball fiercely into the back of the net and after 24 minutes the Emirates were on top of the league.
Luton enjoyed fleeting moments with the ball but no time proved enough before the Gunners were back on the mark and on the brink of half-time, the home side doubled their lead. Leandro Trossard fired the ball into the box for Emile Smith-Rowe to pick up before nudging it towards Reiss Nelson to bring home. While Nelson will take the deserved credit, Smith-Rowe and Trossard would both have been equally deserving of a name on the score-board for their exuberant first-half displays. With the Gunners number ten suffering from increasingly limited game time, if tonight’s fixture proved anything, it was that the 23-year-old was far from done in North London.
Whether Arsenal suddenly suffered from grand fatigue during half-time is unknown but the second-half saw the visitors provide much more competition and fear for David Raya. There was a great impetus in the visitor’s energy but they remained ultimately unable to prevail over a side who will now enjoy at least 24 hours at top the of the Premier League as they seek to mark the 20th anniversary of the ‘Invincibles’ triumph with a trophy of their own.
Here are LondonWorld’s ratings on Gunners’ squad following their 2-0 win over Luton...
9. RW: Reiss Nelson
7/10: His first start in four years for the Gunners and it did not disappoint. A few moments of unease on the ball would be easily forgotten thanks to his exhibitions in the box. Nelson also secured a well-deserved mention on the scoreboard. | Getty Images
10. CF: Kai Havertz
7/10: Unable to clear the ball passed Luton defence in time but constantly threatening the likes of Barkley and Hashiaka. Substituted in 64th minute after receiving booking for diving. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
11. LW: Leandro Trossard
9/10: A stand-out performer in the both halves. Consistently provided well-executed crosses and was unlucky not to feature on scoreboard. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
12. Sub: Gabriel Martinelli
6/10: A quiet fixture for Martinelli who came on after 73 minutes | Arsenal FC via Getty Images