Arsenal continue their Premier League campaign with a midweek fixture against Luton Town. Can the Gunners maintain their title push against a resolute Luton side?
Arteta’s men snatched a rather important point away at the Etihad Stadium against Man City. A game in which Arsenal were set up tactically on par with Pep’s blues, showcasing immense maturity and discipline to lock at any given danger from their opponents. Arsenal dropped to second position on the table, 2 points behind Liverpool.
Luton Town couldn’t hold onto their lead against Tottenham Hotspur after leading through Tahith Chong’s finish into the bottom right corner. Kabore’s unfortunate own goal and a splendid 3 points ended up in disappointment for Rob Edwards side. Luton narrowly sit in the relegation zone with the same points as that of 17th place Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta would look to continue his 9 game unbeaten run whilst Edwards would want Luton to go there and compete at the highest level to get them into the safer zone in the Premier League table.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date: 4th April 2024, Thursday.
Time: 12:00 AM IST
Venue: Emirates Stadium
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Craigg Pawson
Assistants: Marc Perry, Steve Meredith
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Tim Robinson
Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan
TEAM NEWS
All 3 of Arsenal’s doubts for the previous GW against Manchester City managed to play – Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalheas and Gabriel Martinelli (substitute). Bukayo Saka hobbled off the match and was taken off due to fatigue. However, every player bar Jurien Timber (ACL) trained with the squad on Tuesday.
Arsenal could lineup with a couple of changes in terms of giving their main XI rest midweek, with the likes of Tomiyasu and Partey being in contention to start for the very first time in 2024.
On the contrary, Luton Town’s injury woes worsened with Taahith Chong and Alfie Doughty picking up injuries vs Tottenham. Reece Burke also remains a doubt.
These 3 players would join Luton’s extensive list of players receiving medical treatment, namely Tom Lockeyer (chest), Amari Bell (thigh), Elijah Adebayo (thigh), Ogbene (thigh), Gabriel Osho (knee), Jack Brown (knee), Dan Potts and Marvelous Nakamba (knee).
PRE-GAME TACTICAL ANALYSIS
Luton vastly impressed with the football they played in the reverse fixture at Kenilworth Road but ended up heartbroken with an injury-time winner from Declan Rice that ended the game in favour of Arsenal (4:3).
The Gunners are expected to lineup with lots of rotations in the line up, however, are expected to win the match with ease. Luton would have to balance out with the resources they have considered how injury stricken they currently are.
Arsenal would look to start things quick, like they always do at the Emirates. Scoring first would give them that additional boost in opening up the game more as their opponents would like get back in the game whilst also calmly sitting on the lead.
Luton would look to continue to boast their fine form of scoring in 13 continuous league games but also an embarrassing record of not having a single-way clean sheet to their name.
Arsenal have been the best offensive and defensive team in the league this season and would look to put a full stop in front of the Hatter’s amazing run in front of goal.
KEY PLAYERS
Martin Odegaard
Odegaard’s vision and creativity has been exceptional this season, its often Odegaard’s quick thinking and split second decisions that end up being the decisive moment in a match. As a leader of the pack, he also leads the side in relentlessly pressing at the opponents defensive line. His trademark late runs into the box can be a massive threat for Luton. He has also unlocked being one of the focal points in build up for Arsenal by dropping deep, something Arsenal can benefit from with his creativity and adaptability in the fixture.
Ross Barkley
It’s like Ross Barkley is featuring in a redemption season for the Hatters. One of the most underrated midfielders in the Premier League simply for how smart he is in the game and the technicality he brings in for Luton Town. With 4 goals and 4 assists for them this season, he’s been monumental in getting results for Luton Town. Barkley’s close control and dribbling ability allow him to transition the ball from defense to attack effectively. He breaks out of tight spaces to create chances for his teammate. He was the main man in the reverse fixture against Arsenal, can he pull that off again?
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Arsenal predicted XI vs Luton Town: Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Partey, Odegaard, Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli.
Luton Town predicted XI vs Arsenal: Kaminski; Kabore, Hashioka, Mengi, Johnson; Mpanzu, Barkley, Clark; Townsend, Morris, Woodrow.