Arsenal vs Luton Town FC (3rd Apr 2024)

Report | Injury-hit Hatters go down to narrow defeat

Defeated but not deflated.

With a mounting injury crisis well into double figures the Hatters arrived at the Emirates to face a title-chasing Arsenal aiming to pull off one of the biggest results in the club’s history but left with their heads still high in a performance full of pride despite a narrow defeat.

Arsenal ran the show in the first half and were two goals to the good at the break.

Yet there were moments before the Gunners led when the Town showed glimpses of the good side they are with Ross Barkley pulling the strings in midfield, a nut-meg here and delicious cross-field pass there.

But Arsenal’s slick attacking play was rewarded in the 24th minute when Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu – making his 399 appearance – was dispossessed in midfield by Emile Smith Rowe. The midfielder released Martin Odegaard and after exchanging passes with Kai Havertz the Gunners captain steered a fine finish beyond Thomas Kaminski.

Behind the Town rallied and their response to the hosts’ opener was heartening. A teasing right-wing cross from Andros Townsend needed to be dealt with by David Raya before Jordan Clark nodded wide at the back post having been found by another deep Townsend centre.

Arsenal almost made it 2-0 when Kaminski saved from Smith Rowe on ten minutes before the break. The injury worries looked set to continue shortly after that chance with both Daiki Hashioka and Teden Mengi needing treatment.

The duo recovered but shortly after Arsenal went close again the home side did double their lead. Smith Rowe was found smartly in space down the left and he patiently waited for a teammate to arrive in the six-yard box. Reiss Nelson was first to it but the ball inadvertently clipped the boot of the unfortunate Hashioka and the scoreboard read 2-0.

Barkley had the Town’s first shot on target with a free-kick from range second before the break and after the interval the Hatters continued to hold the hosts at bay.

In fact for much of the second half the Hatters were pushing for a route back into the game and threatened the Arsenal back-line with substitute Tahith Chong giving extra zest to the Town attack.

Fred Onyedinma, making his first Premier League start, called Raya into a routine save on 62 minutes but the second half.

But Arsenal were a shadow of their first half selves, lacking the verve that cut the Town open for long spells and, as the Town’s 3,000 supporters sung their hearts out, their side continue to have their fair share of the ball.

It wasn’t until two minutes from the end that the Gunners called Kaminski into action when the Belgian turned substitute Eddie Nketiah’s low shot around the post.

Half-chances for Hashioka and substitute Luke Berry failed to add a consolation that would have extended their 18-match scoring streak but come the final whistle the Hatters could be proud of their performance against one of the country’s best sides.

We head to the Kenny on Saturday when we face Bournemouth.

We’ll soon you then.

Town: Kaminski, Kaboré, Hashioka, Mengi, Doughty, Onyedinma (sub Woodrow 75), Barkley, Mpanzu (sub Chong 53), Clark, Townsend (sub Berry 81), Morris.

Subs not used: Shea, Krul, Berry, Johnson, Chigozie, Nelson, Piesold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjmm9OrLIwk – Rob Edwards interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzAFuQO9ISU – match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWBRg5T7FjA – Rob Edwards press conference

Luton's scoring run is ended as they are unable to prevent Arsenal going top

Premier League: Arsenal 2 Luton Town 0

Luton's winless Premier League run stretched to 10 games as they were unable to halt title-chasing Arsenal going back to the top of the table with what was a comfortable 2-0 victory for the Gunners at the Emirates this evening.

Although Town left empty-handed, having been breached twice in the first period and with a threadbare side playing their second game in the space of a few days, to their credit, Rob Edwards' team were able to produce a second half display they could be hugely proud of, keeping their free-scoring hosts at arm's length and going on to have more of the ball themselves, just unable to find the goal their terrific away fans deserved to witness.

The Town chief made three changes from that first trip to north London at the weekend, Alfie Doughty recovering to make the starting XI having been forced off against Tottenham, with Tahith Chong on the bench, Reece Burke missing out completely. Daiki Hashioka and Fred Onyedinma came in, the latter making his first start for Luton since the 0-0 draw with Hull City in the Championship on May 8, 2023, while teenagers Joe Johnson, Zack Nelson and Axel Piesold were all on the bench, joined by 16-year-old Christian Chigozie, who is taking his GCSEs this summer.

With the pattern of the game quite clear from the opening stages, Arsenal dominating possession, Luton happy to drop deep and try to contain their hosts, they did so well enough in the opening 10 minutes, Oleksander Zinchenko's blast from outside the box that cannoned off Doughty the closest they came. Having been on the back foot, Luton did start to venture forward with 15 gone, Ross Barkley doing superbly to beat three men with one pass and free Jordan Clark, his cross unable to find a team-mate, while another terrific raking crossfield pass by Barkley saw Doughty deliver, only for it to hit Clark and fly behind.

Town then got themselves into trouble on 24 minutes and did exactly what they hadn't wanted to do, gift the Gunners the opening goal. Having won a pressure-relieving free kick, the ball ended up back inside Luton territory as once Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu had his pocket picked by Emile Smith Rowe, the Hatters were in trouble.

The ruthless hosts took full advantage too, Kai Havertz able to find the completely unmarked Martin Odegaard who took his effort first time, arrowing beyond Thomas Kaminski and into the bottom corner. Luton responded well though, Andros Townsend getting away twice on the right hand side, his first cross well defended at the back post, the second bouncing up awkwardly only to be well claimed by keeper David Raya.

The wideman was behind another decent moment for Luton with half an hour gone, as this time he went to the byline on his right foot, standing up a cross that saw Clark fail to get the required direction on his downward header. With Hashioka down injured after a lunging challenge, Arsenal played on, the ball eventually worked to Emile Smith Rowe whose shot was parried by Kaminski, Mengi again reacting quickly to make a crucial block on the rebound.

With both Mengi and Hashioka needing treatment in the aftermath, Edwards had his heart in his mouth hoping he surely couldn't suffer even more misfortune with injuries, as thankfully this time, they both managed to carry on unscathed. The Gunners continued to push for a second, Ben White doing wonderfully to turn as Havertz was spotted on the left, his low shot saved by Kaminski, Mengi there once more to clear the danger.

From the short corner, Luton almost conceded a needless second, a short set-piece worked into the box and Doughty’s miscontrol saw him slide in and divert the ball narrowly wide via the boot of Thomas Partey. Unfortunately, Mikel Arteta’s side did break through on the stroke of half time, Smith Rowe not tracked by Barkley as he was allowed to get to the by-line, his cross bundled home by Reiss Nelson, although it looked like Hashioka got the final touch, the official verdict being an own goal by the Japanese international.

Town did manage a shot target with the last kick of the first half, Barkley's effort from 25 yards bouncing up comfortably for Raya. With their eyes on damage limitation for the second half, and preventing any further injuries for the bigger game with AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, the Hatters managed to do that, and come away with their heads held that bit higher in the end.

Some rare good news on the injury front saw Chong replace Mpanzu early on, while Luton, as they always do under Edwards, showed they weren't about to take the defeat lying down, looking to press whenever they could, Clark winning a free kick that Gunners were able to defend. Chong quickly resumed his telepathic link with Doughty that could be a real key factor in their attempts to stay up, the wingback's cross just too high for Carlton Morris, while he then found Onyedinma on the right who was unable to beat the first man.

The wingback did superbly to win a corner with little support soon afterwards, before being replaced by Cauley Woodrow, which saw Kabore shifted out to the right, setting off on three lung busting sprints, although Town were just unable to pick him out. With Arteta's team happy to preserve what they had and looking to conserve energy for a congested fixture list ahead, the game was played far more in the Gunners half than at any stage before the interval, all the hosts mustering was a Takehiro Tomiyasu curler that flashed wide.

Hashioka of all people almost pulled one back for Town, crashing a late attempt into the body of Gabriel as Doughty continued to cause problems on the left, while another home sub, Eddie Nketiah forcing Kaminski to prevent Arsenal adding a third low down. With Arteta bringing on £100m signing Declan Rice, Luton rung their own changes, Cauley Woodrow and Luke Berry entering the fray, the midfielder almost bagging a late consolation, anticipating Kabore's cross to head powerfully over.

The Hatters' hopes of extending their 18-game scoring run in the top flight was finally ended though when Barkley's header from Hashioka's cross was over the top, as Town remained three points adrift of safety with seven games to go now.

Gunners: David Raya, William Saliba, Ben White, Thomas Partey (Declan Rice 67), Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard (C), Emile Smith Rowe (Jorginho 84), Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson (Gabriel Martinelli 75), Kai Havertz (Eddie Nketiah 66), Oleksander Zinchenko (Takehiro Tomiyasu 74). Subs not used: Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel Jesus, Jakub Kiwior, Fabio Vieira.

Hatters: Thomas Kaminski, Andros Townsend (Luke Berry 81), Teden Mengi, Daiki Hashioka, Issa Kabore, Alfie Doughty, Ross Barkley, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Tahith Chong 53), Jordan Clark, Fred Onyedinma (Cauley Woodrow 75), Carlton Morris (C). Subs not used: James Shea, Tim Krul, Zack Nelson, Joe Johnson, Christian Chigozie, Axel Piesold.

Referee: Craig Pawson.

Booked: Havertz, Onyedinma.

Attendance: 60,262.

Edwards takes huge pride from Luton's second half showing at the Emirates

Town keep the Gunners out for the second 45 minutes in north London

Luton boss Rob Edwards was eager to highlight his side’s second half performance during their 2-0 defeat at title-chasing Arsenal yesterday evening.

The Hatters found themselves breached twice in the opening period, Martin Odegaard rifling into the bottom corner on 24 minutes, before Daiki Hashioka got the final touch to Emile Smith Rowe’s dangerous cross just moments before the break. With the Gunners involved in a three-horse race at top with Liverpool and Manchester City, and goal difference potentially a factor in where the title ends up this term, there was a worry that a depleted Luton side could see the floodgates open in the second period, especially with a defence that saw Hashioka part of a new-look back three with Issa Kabore and Teden Mengi, Fred Onyedinma getting his first start of the season as wingback.

However, that wasn’t the case, Luton going on to enjoy the better of possession, particularly once Tahith Chong came on with 53 on the clock, as they worked some decent openings, but just couldn’t get the goal their performance deserved, Luke Berry and Ross Barkley seeing late headers fly over David Raya’s bar. Importantly they barely conceded any clear-cut opportunities to the Gunners at the other end either, Takehiro Tomiyasu curling wide, and then Thomas Kaminski saving from Eddie Nketiah in the closing stages.

It was a display that gave Edwards plenty of heart, as summing up his side’s efforts, he said: “Difficult, it was never going to be anything other than that. I thought they clearly started on the front foot, it was difficult for us to get out of first and at one-nil down, I thought we started to become a little bit more of ourselves, be a little bit braver.

"The second goal clearly was disappointing from our side, we came off our man-to-man press, left a little bit of space, slightly disorganised on our right channel, they see that, take it, and two-nil before half time was very, very difficult for us. But I have to say, with everything that we’re going through at the moment, it’s a real challenge, but to perform like we did in the second half, I was looking at their last however many games, I saw a six, a five, a six, a four, it could have happened.

"I don't think they would have wanted to say they were happy with two. I know they’re winning the game, it’s their prerogative, we limited them to a couple of long range efforts and I saw a team that tried to take control of the game, tried to be brave, tried to press aggressively, at this place and kept going. So again, I’m proud of them, I’m disappointed we lost a game of football but I’m realistic to know that this game tonight won’t define us, but we’re running out of games now I understand that.”

Having also lost Reece Burke from the 2-1 defeat at Spurs, it meant Town rocked up to north London with a threadbare squad once more as they had to pick two goalkeepers and four teenagers on the bench, 16-year-old Christian Chigozie, who is taking his GCSEs in a few weeks time, the latest to be called upon from the academy.

Edwards appreciated that made the task even harder for his side, which was why he was so impressed with their efforts on the night, adding: “They’re all difficult at the moment, not just this one, but with 11 senior players missing and a lot of them would be starters for us, it’s hard at the best of times. There’s no excuses, we plan and prep the same way, the players take on information so well, you can see a team that’s competing with Tottenham on Saturday, Arsenal tonight away, they’re hard games, but we did, so I’m really proud to represent this football club tonight, I really am.

"We’re coming up against a brilliant manager, a brilliant team, who are in great form who give you really nothing and second half I saw it. I saw us get behind them at times, saw us create decent openings that we just didn’t quite capitalise on when we did arrive or we got behind them, the cross might have just been lacking, or we might just not have been in there with the right numbers when the ball did come into a good area.

"The lads are giving us much out of possession, it’s then hard to then get on the front foot and get in the right areas when we did get behind them. But we tried, we gave everything, we didn’t go under, and that’s the one thing that I can always guarantee for this football club, we won’t, we’ll keep on fighting.”

Hatters boss still has the utmost belief that Luton can avoid relegation back to the Championship

Edwards eager to praise travelling fans at the Emirates Stadium

Town boss Rob Edwards still retains the utmost belief that his Luton side have what it takes to stay in the Premier League this season despite their 2-0 defeat at Arsenal making it 10th top flight game without a win last night.

The Hatters fell behind to Martin Odegaard’s 24th minute strike, before an unfortunate own goal by Daiki Hashioka just before the interval gave the visitors a mountain to climb. Although many might have expected Mikel Arteta’s side to stroll to another convincing victory at the Emirates, Edwards’ team responded with an excellent second half display that saw Town run their title-chasing hosts close, nearly scoring a deserved consolation through headers from Luke Berry and Ross Barkley that flashed over.

However they couldn’t upset the formbook, as the Gunners went back to the top of the table, the result leaving Luton now three points from safety with just seven games to go, the first of those at home to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. Although the situation is starting to look a bit bleak for Town, Burnley hot on their heels as well, while they were without 11 senior players in north London, defender Reece Burke the latest to miss out, Edwards was staying positive on his side’s chances of avoiding the drop.

He said: “I’ve honestly believed it from day one. As soon as we got promoted, I believed it that we can do this. I believe with every fibre of my being in this group. We’ve had a lot thrown at us over the last few weeks. Towards the end of January, February I’m looking at us and thinking, I really like what I’m seeing at the moment, we’re really really competing in this league and we’re looking good.

"Over the last few weeks we’ve had a lot of injuries, clearly, and it has knocked us. It’s knocked a little bit of rhythm, but I still see a team that’s competing with Villa, with Tottenham, with Bournemouth, Palace, Forest, we’re in all the games. Tonight, we’re in it. If we get a goal on 82 minutes or something, we’re in the game, maybe it can become a little bit nervy.

"We weren’t out of sight, I know you could say Arsenal, they defend so well, they’re brilliant, and they give hardly anything away, but we weren’t out of the game, we weren’t. That’s what gives me belief in these players, when I look in their eyes in the dressing room at the end, I can see they’re with us, I can see they’re with me, they believe, and all our focus now has to go on to Saturday, it has to.”

On what he said to his players that enabled them to deliver a second half showing that earned a number of plaudits from those in attendance and a terrific ovation from the 3,000-plus travelling supporters, Edwards continued: “I know they had clearly more territory in the first half but a lot of our plan would have been about try to press high, once they break through we need to defend well low and it was about trying to counter, then when we could get up there, try and get some control.

"We did that at times in the first half, there were a couple of fleeting moments, but I thought it was more a mindset. We talked more about mindset, we’re losing a game of football, what’s the worst that’s going to happen? I just had to see a team that’s brave and not give up. I talk a lot about trying to get the last goal, I always talk about let’s get the last goal in the game, and we tried, we couldn’t, but we tried.

"We talked about readjusting one of two things, Chongy (Tahith Chong) came on fairly early in the second half, he gave us a bit more pace on the outside and I thought it gave us a bit more control with Clicker (Jordan Clark) and Ross (Barkley) in the middle of the pitch. I thought we looked a really good team with the ball in the second half, but they’re so well organised, it’s really difficult to create those big chances. When we did get into good areas, we lacked a little bit of quality, or the numbers to really hurt them, it was more about we don’t give up and we can’t ever do that.”

During the second period, it was those Town fans who could be heard loudest in the 60,000 stadium, as they didn’t once waver in their support of the team, staying to the final whistle to applaud the efforts from the Hatters players, as they have done all campaign. It was something Edwards was eager to thank them for afterwards. He added: “Our supporters were amazing, they kept going, they understand what we’re going through, they understand tonight was always going to be difficult.

“I love them, they’re realistic, they’re passionate, but they’re so with us and behind us. I’m really lucky to have them because in this situation, if they turned it would be really, really tough and it gives me a lot of belief that they’re with us.”