Arsenal vs Luton Town: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Arsenal host Luton Town at the Emirates in a clash that will have huge implications at both ends of the Premier League table.

Date: 03/04/24

Kick-off time: 19:30

Venue: Emirates Stadium

The Gunners are once again in a title race, and will hope to go all the way this year. However, their chances were dealt a little bit of a setback as they lost their place at the top of the table as they drew 0-0 with Man City, despite it being a good result. Prior to the weekend, they held top spot, but after dropping points in addition to Liverpool’s win, Jurgen Klopp’s side are now in the driving seat. The draw against City snapped an eight-game winning streak in the league. Victory against Luton would continue an impressive unbeaten run and keep them within touching distance at the top. Anything but a win would damage their hopes further.

At the other end, Luton are fighting to retain top flight status for a second consecutive season. They currently occupy 18th place, but only remain in the bottom three on goal difference. They missed a huge opportunity to pick up an unlikely result away at Tottenham, but squandered a lead to lose 2-1. All the teams around them except Everton picked up points, making the outcome even more frustrating.

Mikel Arteta’s side have lost just once at home all season, and that was against West Ham at the end of December. They have also scored 36 goals, a total bettered by only three teams. The visitors have let in 36 on the road, more than anyone in the league, meaning they could be in for a very long evening. Their defence will have to contain a number of attacking players, most notably Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, who have combined for 21. Tahith Chong has emerged as a serious attacking threat, with three of his four goals coming in the last five games.

This season was the first time these two sides have met in any competition since 1991, which was the last of eight straight games in the old Division One. The reverse fixture earlier this campaign was a thriller as Arsenal edged it 4-3 at Kenilworth Road. Gabriel Martinelli gave the visitors the lead though this was quickly cancelled out by Gabriel Osho. Gabriel Jesus restored the advantage on the stroke of half time, but once again Luton responded through Elijah Adebayo. The hosts took their first lead when Ross Barkley put them ahead, but Havertz equalised. Declan Rice then scored a 97th minute winner to steal three points.

Arsenal

Arsenal have no new injury concerns and should have a fully fit squad to choose from except right-back Jurrien Timber who remains out with a serious knee injury.

Luton

Elijah Adebayo, Marvelous Nakamba and Albert Sambi Lokonga are long-term injuries though should return before the end of the season. Chiedozie Ogbenehas a hamstring injury which may keep him out until late April. Gabriel Osho has a bruised knee which should not keep him out long.

Arsenal

In their last five games, Arsenal have won four and drawn one. They are locked in an intense battle for the title, with their most recent game the most important one they had remaining as they visited champions Manchester City. The game ended goalless as the points were shared.

Their final game before the international break was in the Champions League as they advanced to the quarter-finals after beating Porto 4-2 on penalties. It was a nerve-wracking night as the Gunners knew they had to overturn a first leg deficit. They went into the break a goal up after Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock. They were unable to find another goal in the rest of regulation or extra-time to send the game to spot kicks. David Raya was the hero as he saved two penalties.

This followed a narrow 2-1 win over Brentford. Raya missed out as he could not face his parent club, giving Aaron Ramsdale the start. The Englishman had a half to forget, however, as he made a dreadful mistake to allow Yoane Wissa to score, which cancelled out Declan Rice’s early opener. The game looked set for a draw, but Kai Havertz found the net in the 86th minute to secure yet another win for his side.

It was a much less dominant performance than their previous display, in which they crushed bottom side Sheffield United 6-0 away from home. They were 3-0 up by 15 minutes and up five at half-time. In addition to a Jayden Bogle own goal, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Havertz, Rice and Ben White all got on the scoresheet. An impressive outing against Newcastle resulted in a 4-1 win at the Emirates. Sven Botman converted into his own net to get the scoring going, before Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior tacked on three more. Ex-Gunner Joe Willock scored a consolation.

Luton

In their last five games, Luton have drawn two and lost three. It has been a winless run for Luton, but they will have been disappointed not to have picked up more points and wins along the way. Their most recent game was a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham. They took an early lead through Tahith Chong but could not hold on as an Issa Kabore own goal and Heung-Min Son strike turned it around. This followed a big 1-1 draw at home to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest. However, they were lucky to leave with a point as they needed an 89th minute Luke Berry leveller to cancel out Chris Wood’s earlier opener.

Perhaps the most shocking game of their season was a 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth. Replayed after the original fixture was abandoned in December, they found themselves 3-0 up at half-time thanks to goals from Chong, Chiedozie Ogbene and Ross Barkley. Dominic Solanke gave the Cherries an immediate response after the break, before Illia Zabarnyi pulled back another. The comeback was almost complete as Antoine Semenyo bagged the equaliser. The historic turnaround concluded as Semenyo grabbed his brace with six minutes to go.

More dropped points came away at Crystal Palace, with another late goal deciding the result. Mateta gave the Eagles an early 11th minute lead, and this was an advantage they held for almost the entire match. Seemingly headed for defeat, the Hatters scored in the 96th minute through Cauley Woodrow to share the points. The first game of this stretch was a 3-2 home loss to Aston Villa, in which they fought back from 2-0 down with goals from Chong and Carlton Morris, just to concede a winner to Lucas Digne with one minute remaining.

Luton are in desperate need of some points having given some away in recent weeks, but expect the search for a win to continue as Arsenal will dominate. The Gunners are almost impossible to stop at home, and it will be a matter of how many they will score. The Hatters may threaten, but Arsenal will have far too much for them – Arsenal 4-0 Luton

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Arsenal vs Luton will be available to watch on TNT Sports 2.

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