Arsenal v Luton – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Arsenal host Luton in the English Premier League on Wednesday. The Gunners have won eight of their last nine league matches and face a Hatters side with no wins in their last nine. Rob Edwards faces a potential injury crisis ahead of this trip to the Emirates.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal have been in excellent form of late. They had won eight successive league matches and progressed to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals before their last match. Against Man City on Sunday, it ended 0-0 at the Etihad Stadium as Arsenal limited City to just one shot on target.

Before that, they were on fire in the league including a 6-0 win at West Ham, a 5-0 win at Burnley, and a 6-0 victory at Sheffield United. The latter win preceded a narrow 2-1 home win over Brentford before a 1-0 win vs FC Porto. They progressed on penalties having lost the first leg 1-0 in Portugal.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta is only without Jurrien Timber for this match. Bukayo Saka should shake off a knock to start and Gabriel Martinelli is fit to play more minutes after injury. Leandro Trossard may replace Gabriel Jesus in the XI on the left wing.

Arsenal could rotate their side somewhat with Jorginho the most likely to get a breather. Oleks Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are options to start at the left back in place of Jakub Kiwior.

Arsenal Motivation

After playing defensively vs Man City, Arsenal are likely to open up and attack in this one.

Anything less than a comfortable win by a good margin would be seen as a disappointment.

Luton Form

After an incredible 4-0 home win over Brighton in January, Luton are winless in nine league matches. Most worrying is that their five home matches during that streak have yielded just one point. A 4-1 loss at Liverpool preceded a 6-2 home humbling by Man City in the FA Cup. They conceded late to lose 3-2 at home to Aston Villa after that.

After drawing 1-1 at Crystal Palace, they surrendered a 3-0 lead at Bournemouth to ship four second-half goals in a 4-3 loss. They’ve kept fighting and scored in the 89th minute to draw 1-1 at home to Nottingham Forest in a relegation tussle. On Saturday, they were at 1-1 at Tottenham before conceding in the 86th minute to lose 2-1.

Luton Team News

Rob Edwards could have up to 12 players absent for this match. Tom Lockyer is out with a heart problem and Amari’i Bell is absent in defence with a hamstring problem. Gabriel Osho needs a late fitness test. Alfie Doughty has been key down the left but took a knock at Spurs.

Further forward, Tanith Chong is doubtful, Jacob Brown is out, and speedy winger Chiedozie Ogbene won’t play any part. Top forward Elijah Adebayo is out, and Albert Sambi Lokonga also won’t be involved at all.

Luton Motivation

Right now, Luton would probably be more than happy to take a two-goal defeat and get out of town.

A draw would feel like a win. They are not equipped to park the bus so they will try to cause some problems of their own on the break or with direct attacks.

Key Stats

Arsenal have won 8 of their last 9 EPL matches (33 goals scored)

Arsenal’s Kai Havertz has scored 4 goals in his last 7 matches.

Luton are winless in 10 matches (7 losses, 3 draws)

Luton have conceded 30 goals in their last 10 matches.

Verdict

With Luton missing so many key players, you can see a heavy defeat in this match. Arsenal will want to get a big win and boost their goal difference.

Best Bet: Arsenal win (-2 handicap) at 1.76

Value Bet: Arsenal win (-3 handicap) at 2.70

Goalscorer Tip: Kai Havertz to score anytime at 1.83

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis