It is a big occasion when high-flying Arsenal travels to the modest surroundings of Luton Town, who will dream of a particular result under the lights.
Bedfordshire receives the joint-second team on the log as Luton Town hosts Arsenal for a match that will attract those who love an underdog story. This represents the first-ever Premier League meeting between both sides and their first in the league since 1992.
While Luton are taking in their first top-flight campaign in 27 years, Arsenal are one of the top contenders for the league title in 2023/24.
Hence, the fortunes between both sides can’t be more contrasted by the fact that Arsenal has only lost once, while Luton has only won once in the league.
The Hatters immediately found life in the top division very tough as their first two games ended 4-1 and 3-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, respectively. Then, the first Premier League game at Kenilworth Road ended in the disappointment of a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United.
A Carlos Vinicius goal was enough for Fulham to beat Luton, who finally recorded their first point at home thanks to Carlton Morris’ second-half penalty. The next match at Everton was even better as the Hatters secured their maiden win in the Premier League as captain Tom Lockyer and Carlton Morris scored in the club’s historic 2-1 victory.
Jacob Bruun Larsen’s 85th-minute strike settled a crunch game with Burnley, but Luton had already proved their performances were on the rise. Yet, they failed to score a goal despite playing with 10 men against Tottenham, who left Bedfordshire with a 1-0 win.
The first game back from the October international break saw Edwards’ men hit back through Chiedozie Ogbene and Elijah Adebayo to claw a point from a dramatic match-up at Nottingham Forest. That single point places them just above the relegation zone in 17th position, and they will face future opponents with confidence and trust in their ability to get results.
While they are the fourth-highest team for goals conceded, they have been able to utilize their eight goals scored so far to secure a win and two draws from the first nine matches.
In the end, this may be inadequate to stop Arsenal, but they will aim to frustrate the Gunners and harness the energy from their partisan crowd in the tight surroundings of their home ground.
Arsenal underwent a coming-of-age campaign last time as they went painfully close to lifting their first league title since 2003/04. They are poised for big things this season, where they are also competing in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in six years.
The domestic season’s curtain-raiser brought silverware as Arsenal defeated Manchester City on penalties in the Community Shield. The league campaign started with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home to Nottingham Forest.
Next were London derbies against Crystal Palace and Fulham when Mikel Arteta’s men secured a win and a draw, respectively. Queue their first statement victory of the campaign as they beat Manchester United 3-1 after a pulsating end to the game.
A stern test awaited at Goodison Park, but Leandro Trossard’s goal saw them past Everton with all three points and a clean sheet. Tottenham Hotspur came to the Emirates Stadium for the first North London Derby but could only leave with a 2-2 draw that ensured both teams stayed unbeaten.
A trip to the South Coast to face Bournemouth was a comfortable day out that will be best remembered for Kai Havertz’s first goal for Arsenal in a 4-0 win. However, the game of their season was played in front of expectant home support as Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal decided the clash against their title rivals for Arsenal’s first league win over Manchester City since 2015.
Then, a daunting away day at Stamford Bridge threatened to end their undefeated streak until Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard scored in the final 13 minutes to steal a point from two goals down.
Arsenal is the clear favorite against Luton, but they must be weary of their stubborn hosts. They will understandably stop at nothing to make it a stormy evening for the title-chasing Londoners.
Match tickets
This match takes place on Tuesday, 5 December, with the action kicking off at 20:15 PM UK time. Tickets will be sold on each club’s website but should quickly be sold out via official channels.
With Luton showing signs of life in the Premier League and the chance to watch them compete against one of the best teams in the country, Hatters fans will be out in droves, desperate to take in the atmosphere.
A crowd of only 11,500 people can be admitted at Kenilworth Road, meaning some interested fans will miss out. Nevertheless, Luton Town vs Arsenal tickets can still be found on ticket resale sites.
Team news
Reece Burke is the latest in a considerable injury list for Luton, including Amari’i Bell, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Daniel Potts, Jordan Clark, Gabriel Osho, and Mads Andersen.
Luton will be looking forward to positive news on their various recoveries ahead of facing the Gunners.
Arsenal have been able to manage the fitness of their players impressively with Thomas Partey being the only fresh casualty with a muscle injury. Jurrien Timber remains sidelined with a severe knee injury that will keep him out until around March 2024.
Line-ups
Regardless of the system they line up in, Luton must be a rigid unit throughout the game. They will also trust in their improving forward line to fashion the chances and hurt Arsenal on the counterattack through set-piece situations.
Luton Town: Kaminski; Kabore, Lockyer, Mengi, Doughty; Mpanzu, Nakamba, Ogbene, Chong; Brown, Morris
With Arsenal having an almost full-strength squad to call upon, their best team should take to the field, which makes it a devastating prospect for Luton.
Meanwhile, the debate over the goalkeeping position rages on with David Raya’s nervy and error-strewn displays after displacing Aaron Ramsdale from the starting 11.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Prediction
Luton’s leaky defense will struggle against an Arsenal forward line that is dynamic, interchangeable, and hard to keep out. Yet, the Hatters should try to protect their area and hang on for as long as possible.
Considering the gap in quality between both teams, the visitors should win this without significant fuss.
Luton 0-2 Arsenal
Gunners Town is a premier Arsenal blogging platform for passionate and knowledgeable Gooners. Established in 2012, the site has garnered over 5 million views.
No comments yet.