Arsenal-Luton Town is a match of the thirty-first day of the Premier League and is played on Wednesday at 20:30: live TV, probable formations, predictions.
On Easter Sunday Arsenal managed to avoid defeat at Etihad Stadium, a place from which only a few – usually – emerge unscathed, by drawing 0-0 with Manchester City and avoiding the dreaded overtaking by Pep Guardiola’s team. Liverpool, which had gotten the better of Brighton a few hours earlier, now looks down on everyone.
The Gunners, on the other hand, are second at just 2 only lengths behind the Reds, but at their heels we always find the defending champions Cityzens, who remain at -1. In short, the fight for the Premier League title is always wide open, and the direct Easter clash has not dispelled any doubts in this regard. Mikel Arteta’s men suffered City’s almost suffocating dribbling but defended well, without taking any major risks. And little did it matter if they broke the winning streak that had been going on in the league since last December. Between now and May Arsenal will not play any more direct clashes, yet there is no shortage of tricky matches. Luton Town in theory should not be among them: it is a newly promoted side, is battling to avoid immediate relegation to the Championship, and has been missing the appointment with three points since last January 30.
Luton has no problem scoring goals
It would be a mistake, however, if the Gunners underestimated an opponent that on the playing level, even with its various limitations, is not disfiguring. And who is accustomed to “daring” even against the so-called bigs.
Luton on Saturday created numerous headaches for Tottenham, which needed a difficult comeback to take the full stake (2-1). Rob Edwards’ team shines particularly well in ball possession, and this is evidenced by the fact that in the league they have not been without a goal since November. To achieve salvation, however, an extra effort will be needed, considering that the Hatters would currently be relegated: they have the same points as Nottingham Forest, 22, but a worse goal difference.
The prediction
Arsenal this season has always won against newcomers and has not lost at home to one of them since as far back as 2008. We don’t expect a different result but it is highly likely that Luton will manage to score at least one goal at the Emirates Stadium: after all, in the first leg match the Gunners suffered from the Hatters’ offensive flurries, coming out on top at the end of a thrilling 4-3.
The likely lineups for Arsenal-Luton Town
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.
LUTON TOWN (4-3-3): Kaminski; Kabore, Hashioka, Mengi, Johnson; Mpanzu, Barkley, Clark; Townsend, Morris, Woodrow.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
