ARSENAL FC | OCTOBER FIXTURES

 

REPORT: ARSENAL HOST NOTTINGHAM FOREST AS PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION RETURNS

Photo: IMAGO

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest: Premier League Preview at the Emirates

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday lunchtime when they host Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium. The 12.30pm kick-off comes straight after the international break, with both sides hoping to reset and build momentum in the new campaign.

This fixture carries additional intrigue as Ange Postecoglou steps back into English football management with Forest, months after leaving Tottenham. His Spurs connection will almost certainly provoke a frosty welcome from the Arsenal crowd.

Key details for Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

The clash takes place on Saturday 13 September, with live television coverage in the UK on TNT Sports. Build-up begins at 11am on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, before the match kicks off at 12.30pm. Subscribers can also watch online via the Discovery+ platform.

Supporters without access can still follow the game through live blogs, while highlights will be available from 5.15pm on the Sky Sports app and YouTube channel. Match of the Day will feature extended coverage later that evening on BBC One at 10.50pm.

Photo: IMAGO

Arsenal team news and selection calls

Arsenal could hand a first start to £67.5m summer signing Eberechi Eze. The midfielder made an impact off the bench against Liverpool in the previous round and is pushing for inclusion from the start.

Ben White should be fit to return, while Christian Norgaard and Piero Hincapie are both in contention. However, Mikel Arteta faces a lengthy absentee list with William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all set to miss out.

Forest will be without Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is ineligible to face his parent club following a late transfer window loan move. With Ola Aina also likely to be sidelined, Postecoglou faces a defensive reshuffle.

“Eberechi Eze is pushing to start for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest” read an update from the club as anticipation grows around the new signing’s full debut.

Tactical dynamics and prediction

Postecoglou’s arrival on the Forest bench changes the complexion of the contest. Under Nuno Espirito Santo, Arsenal might have expected to face a deep defensive block. Instead, the new manager is known for encouraging aggressive pressing and a high defensive line, traits that characterised his Tottenham side.

That philosophy could leave spaces for Arsenal’s attacking talent. If they are sharp in the final third, the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eze and Noni Madueke should find opportunities. With the Gunners at home and boasting superior quality, the forecast points towards a comfortable victory.

The prediction is Arsenal to win 4-0.

- Ahmed Khan

DECLAN RICE EXPLAINS THE SUBTLE CHANGE MADE TO HIS FREE-KICK TECHNIQUE DURING ARSENAL V REAL MADRID THAT PAID OFF

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Declan Rice’s two outstanding free-kicks stole the show as Arsenal taught Real Madrid a footballing lesson in their 3-0 victory in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final in what was arguably the greatest night the Emirates Stadium has ever witnessed.

The Arsenal midfielder, who had never scored even a single free-kick before Tuesday night managed to dispatch a brace and make even the tremendous Thibaut Courtois look powerless when the ball left his right foot twice.

In doing so, Declan Rice might have well taken a sizable step towards being deemed a Gunners legend as he produced one of the most impactful performances an Arsenal player has in the club’s rich history.

But after Arsenal thrashed Real Madrid, Rice explained the thinking behind both his free-kicks.

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Declan Rice revealed looking down during free-kicks helped him during Arsenal vs Real Madrid

Alan Shearer raved about Rice’s two free-kicks against Real Madrid and Arsenal’s man of the moment explained that he has noticed that every time he looks at the ball before striking it in training, the result tends not to be satisfatory.

As even Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham was taken aback by Rice’s free-kicks as Arsenal took the visitors apart, the man himself also explained that when he does not look at the ball — his attempts are often far more accurate and the subtle change he made worked to a tee.

Thierry Henry asked Rice on CBS Sports “But you know what I like with the technique is you whipped it so hard early and you didn’t let your foot go, if you know what I mean, you held it.”

Rice replied: “I feel like when I practice these free-kicks, what I tend to notice is when I make the contact and I look up quick, it’s not the strike I want. When I look down on the ball and just focus on the ball and know in the spot I want to put it in, I tend to have more consistency with it and obviously, that’s a one in a, I don’t know what moment. I’ve been practicing it and it’s come off and to score two, it won’t hit me what I’ve done.”

How Kylian Mbappe reacted to Declan Rice’s second free-kick in Champions League quarter-final

Rice is well and truly a man who is dedicated to his craft — as was exemplified by his post-match assessment after Arsenal’s win against Real Madrid.

If the former West Ham United captain had not put in the hours of practice in training, his free-kicks might not have hurt Los Blancos on Tuesday.

But he did and Kylian Mbappe was caught by cameras being visibly blown away by the second free-kick in particular.

Alan Shearer lauded Rice’s all-round masterclass against Real Madrid and in every sense of the word, he put in a complete display.

Even Thierry Henry called Rice a man “possessed” and noted that he looked like a man with a point to prove.

For years, Arsenal’s mentality when the pressure is at its maximum has been questioned.

But Rice seems to be built of sterner stuff and his fearlessness in attempting both free-kicks from distance shows that this current crop of players are keen to show that they can mix it with the best of the best.

- Srinivas Sadhanand

ANDREA BERTA IMMEDIATELY PUT TO WORK AS 'ARSENAL' 'WANT' NEW SPORTING DIRECTOR 'TO SECURE' £51M TRANSFER CAPTURE

Arsenal have announced the arrival of the vastly experienced Andrea Berta as their new sporting director.

The 53-year-old left his role as Atletico Madrid sporting director earlier this year, and he has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium as the replacement for Edu.

Berta's arrival in North London has now been confirmed, and he has a huge reputation in the world of football, having been instrumental to Atletico's recent success, while he has worked in technical roles for both Parma and Genoa.

The Italian has said that he is making the move to Arsenal during "a hugely exciting period for the club", with the Gunners establishing themselves as serious contenders for the Premier League title in recent seasons.

Arsenal confirm Berta appointment, as Italian replaces Edu

"I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club," he said in a statement on the club's official website.

"I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.

"The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team. I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters."

Meanwhile, the club's co-chairman Josh Kroenke added: "Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure. He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network and an insatiable desire to build winning teams.

Andrea will be a great addition to our club. He understands our values and what we stand for and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies.

"We undertook a thorough recruitment process and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea's experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out. "We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family."

Berta 'tasked' with securing deal for Real Sociedad's Zubimendi

According to The Mirror, Berta has been immediately tasked with securing a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The Spain international famously turned down the chance to make the move to Liverpool last summer, but he is expected to leave at the end of this season, with a number of clubs interested in his signature.

Real Madrid appear to be Arsenal's main competition for the Euro 2024 winner, but it is understood that the Gunners are confident of winning the race for a player who has a £51m release clause in his contract.

Arsenal are said to be hopeful that Berta's expertise will help them get a deal over the line for Zubimendi, with the bulk of the framework already being completed, as the North London club view him as a priority signing this summer.

The 26-year-old has again been a vital player for La Real during the current season, making 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and registering two assists in the process.

- Matt Law

GABRIEL MARTINELLI WITH GABRIEL MAGALHÃE' DAUGHTER MAYA

Gabriel Martinelli with Gabriel Magalhães’ daughter Maya at the Emirates ❤️

ARTETA MUST REVIVE EMIRATES ROAR AS MUCH AS ARSENAL'S FORTUNES ON PITCH

Fans show their appreciation for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal’s match against Brighton this season. They are coping with the most expensive season tickets in the Premier League while their team falters.
Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty Images

Mikel Arteta was sitting in the Emirates Stadium away dugout when he realised the scale of the task that awaited him. It was December 2019, and although he was still nominally the assistant manager of Manchester City, cruising to a 3-0 victory against Arsenal, thoughts were naturally beginning to turn towards the project he had secretly decided to take on. And – to put it mildly – he was alarmed.

This wasn’t simply a case of how bad Arsenal were on the pitch. Performance is a fickle thing. There are known variables, measurable objectives. Performance you can fix. But the energy in the stadium, the disgruntlement, the disconnect between the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands: as Arteta contemplated his first job in management, this was the challenge that worried him the most.

And for all the focus on Arteta’s attention to detail, the fixation on things such as set pieces and defensive spacing, at root he is a vibes coach: someone who thinks deeply about the relationship between the performers and their paying public, the synergy and the magic they can conjure together, the ingredients that create them. “Energy is everything, in life and in football,” he has said.

It’s fair to assume, then, that as Arsenal trooped from the pitch at half-time during their FA Cup game against Manchester United on Sunday, Arteta will not have been oblivious to the absence of warmth. To describe the Emirates as quiet barely does it justice: this was a kind of anti-noise, not so much anger or sadness as tautness, a pregnant vacuum, a stadium basically devoid of stimulus, drained of feeling. And as Arsenal threaten to stumble in pursuit of the league title that would define this group of players, this is becoming an increasing problem.

Earlier in the week, there was the sight of fans leaving early during the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle, leaving banks of empty red seats with more than 100 minutes of the tie still to play. And tonally something seems to have shifted since the remarkable title-challenging season of 2022-23, when this stadium hummed and heaved with insurgent, life-affirming noise. What happened to that energy? Where did it go? And with a first home north London derby for 16 months on the horizon, and the biggest prizes still to be won, how do Arsenal get it back?

Mikel Arteta gives final instructions before the penalty shootout against Manchester United in the FA Cup. Photograph: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

It is no coincidence that Arteta has spoken multiple times this season about the need for Arsenal’s fans to rally around them. He did so again before the visit of Tottenham on Wednesday night. “This is something that is in our hands,” he said. “Let’s create the best atmosphere that we have played [in] at the Emirates – that’s our objective. That’s something we control. This is something that is in our hands. So let’s do it.”

But of course incanting a great atmosphere and manifesting a great atmosphere are two different things. And as with pretty much everything at Arsenal these days, this is an issue without a simple cause and effect. No one thing is to blame here. This is a fanbase divided along multiple planes: the hardcore and the casual, the old and the young, the privileged and the struggling, the Arteta In and Arteta In, But For Heaven’s Sake Pull Your Finger Out A Bit.

In part, this in itself is the problem. The stirring, stunning singularity of purpose that defined 2022-23 Arsenal always felt like a particular brew of circumstances: an unexpected title challenge, a thrilling team full of young attacking potential, a certain bottled-up post-pandemic hedonism and the consequent demographic shift, a fanbase skewing younger and less jaded. It was never the sort of energy that could be sustained over multiple seasons, multiple Champions League campaigns, multiple visions of what Arsenal should realistically be.

Expectations are not the only thing that have risen. Arsenal’s lowest-priced season ticket is £1,073, a 16% rise in the past two seasons. The cheapest season ticket at the Emirates is now pricier than the most expensive at Old Trafford. And while this is clearly a function of increased demand, after the slump of late-Wenger and pandemic years, Arsenal are learning the hard way that decisions on access and ticketing have consequences that go well beyond the bottom line.

Last season, in response to surging demand, Arsenal introduced a ballot system to allocate tickets to members and allow a broader cross-section of fans to attend games. Almost overnight, silver-tier members who had previously counted on attending 10-15 games a season were struggling to get to more than a handful. It felt as if Arsenal were disenfranchising some of their most loyal supporters in order to squeeze in as many new casuals as possible.

In the meantime, supporters’ clubs have had their allocations cut and more stringent restrictions applied to tickets. The Ashburton Army ultra group’s ticket allocation was cut last year, and they were not given any tickets for the United game on Sunday. This has proved unpopular among many portions of the fanbase who appreciate the atmosphere they create, but welcomed by others uneasy at some of the group’s more unsavoury elements, which have in the past included antisemitic WhatsApp posts and tragedy chanting.

The wider context is that at a point when Arteta is demanding unity among the fanbase, speaking about the Emirates crowd as if it were an army to be mobilised, it is more divided, contested, in flux, than at any point since the early years of his tenure. Perhaps this has contributed to the weird atmosphere at times this season, players such as Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice visibly demanding more noise, and only occasionally getting it. The football has often been less than thrilling. And so, is it the crowd’s job to raise the levels on the pitch, or the team’s job to raise the levels in the stands?

The answer, of course, is both. And as Arteta knew from the moment he sat in that away dugout more than five years ago, the synergy of team and tribune is more art than science. It is a mood, a vibe, a fragile and precious energy, hard to build and easy to destroy. More than a local derby, more than a misfiring attack, more even than a title challenge, his task is to recover it.

- Jonathan Liew

BREAKING: ARSENAL LOOKING INTO EXPANDING EMIRATES TO REACH 80,000 FANS

 

BUKAYO SAKA ISSUE SEVEN-WORD RESPONSE TO CONOR MCGREGOR APOLOGY AS ARSENAL DECISION MADE

Latest Arsenal news with Bukayo Saka offering his thoughts on the Conor McGregor clip involving him that went viral over the weekend.

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has offered his thoughts on the incident involving Conor McGregor (Image: (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images))

Bukayo Saka has provided his response t the viral incident involving him and Conor McGregor after Arsenal's Champions League win against Paris Saint-Germain. Saka scored in the 2-0 victory over the French champions, but it was what he was involved in after the game that grabbed headlined.

Following the win, McGregor, known for his mixed martial arts career in the UFC, was seen on the pitch at Emirates Stadium alongside Saka and Declan Rice. The Irishman was then recorded aiming pretend kicks and punches at Saka all while the Arsenal star laughed at his advances.

The clip has caused quite the stir on social media and while a number of Arsenal fans have found it funny, the club certainly did not. As per a report by the Sunday Times, McGregor entered the pitch without permission and was thus asked to go back inside soon after.

It has also been claimed there is a high level of concern within the club at how easily it was for the Notorious to get that close to one of Arsenal's biggest stars. An internal enquiry is now set to be conducted with the Gunners said to be looking at a decision on changing how things work after games.

This would involve players mixing with corporate guests while the club are also keen to distance themselves from McGregor's 'brand' because of the several controversies he has been involved in recently. Since then, Saka himself has responded to the incident, seemingly feeling no ill will towards McGregor.

Alongside a photo of himself and the 36-year-old, Saka wrote on Instagram: "Good to meet you @thenotoriousmma." Referring to the incident, Saka added: "No harm done just a friendly spar [laughing face emoji]."

Saka, like a large portion of the Arsenal squad, is now away on international duty with Mikel Arteta hoping for a more successful break in comparison to the last one in September. Club captain Martin Odegaard is still absent from the injury suffered playing for Norway, though a return date appears close.

- Kieran Horn

ARSENAL RATINGS: SAKA, TROSSARD STAR IN WIN VS. LEICESTER

Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka celebrate after Arsenal take the lead vs. Leicester City in the Premier League. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they secured a 4-2 victory over Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners dominated the first half and got themselves in front when Jurriën Timber crossed low towards Gabriel Martinelli, who registered his first Premier League goal of the season with an accurate finish. Martinelli was a regular spark for the home side's attack throughout the opening 45 minutes, and he was involved again before the break when providing the assist for Leandro Trossard to double the lead.

Manager Mikel Arteta looked comfortable as his side enjoyed 76% possession by the end of the first half, but it was just moments after the restart when the Foxes responded, with James Justin's effort deflected off Kai Havertz from Facundo Buonanotte's free kick.

Leicester City goalkeeper Mads Hermansen kept his side in it with saves against Gabriel Magalhães and then Trossard, before a spectacular effort from Justin was smashed in off the post to level the scoring. Hermansen was involved again when a poor pass out from the back allowed Declan Rice to play in Trossard, only for the 29-year-old to see his effort saved.

Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri were introduced as Arsenal looked to get a late winner, and after Hermansen made one more save from Riccardo Calafiori, it was one corner too many in the 94th minute as Trossard's effort was deflected in by Wilfred Ndidi to win the game. Havertz added a late goal to seal it with one of the final kicks of the match.

Positives

Arsenal's victory puts them on level points with Manchester City, while they continued to show how they continue to win games late, while being the best in the league at converting set pieces. Bukayo Saka's performance was also noteworthy, in an almost faultless display on the day.

Negatives

There were some moments when concentration could have been better, with Calafiori taking a chance on a yellow card -- but those were minor negatives in an otherwise convincing performance.

Manager rating (1-10)

Mikel Arteta, 7 -- Arteta's side created more than enough chances to win the game, and the Arsenal manager was unlucky to see his side concede from a deflected set piece and then a spectacular strike. Some might argue he could have made the introduction of Sterling sooner, but the Gunners did have a massive chance to retake the lead a minute before he came on.

Player ratings (1-10; 10: best. Players introduced after 70 minutes receive no rating)

GK David Raya, 5 -- There was little to do for Raya as Arsenal dominated the first half, but he had to pick the ball out of his net moments after the restart, with Leicester City converting from their free kick.

DF Riccardo Calafiori, 6 -- The Italy international combined well with Martinelli when advancing up the left flank, and was encouraged to shoot by the Emirates Stadium crowd after his effort against Manchester City last week. He could have been tighter to Justin before his strike, and was also careless with some challenges which may have seen him sent off on another day. Almost scored the winner with a powerful header but was denied by Hermansen.

DF Gabriel Magalhães, 6 -- Gabriel was a constant danger on set pieces as usual and came close to scoring when forcing a save from Hermansen. Composed in possession, and helped quickly restart attacks for his side after receiving the ball.

DF William Saliba, 7 -- A strong display from Saliba saw him regularly win the ball back with aggressive challenges high up the pitch, which allowed Arsenal to maintain pressure when their opponents tried to clear the danger. Involved in the first goal when challenging Jamie Vardy who claimed for a foul before the Gunners scored, but there didn't look to be too much in it. Booked in the second half for a foul on Vardy.

DF Jurriën Timber, 7 -- Timber fared well against Leicester City's attempts to counter-attack and dealt well against the threat of Stephy Mavididi. Registered an assist with a low cross that was delivered across the box to Martinelli.

MF Thomas Partey, 6 -- Kept things ticking in midfield by moving the ball on to Arsenal's more creative players, but didn't have too much to do defensively, with the majority of Leicester City's attacks going down the flanks.

MF Declan Rice, 7 -- An all-round strong midfield performance saw Rice help control the game as well as win possession back consistently, impressing with his decision-making. Played in Trossard after a big error from Hermansen, and was unlucky not to get an assist after the goalkeeper made amends with a save.

MF Kai Havertz, 6 -- The 25-year-old timed his runs well into the penalty area and was able to connect with multiple crosses but couldn't trouble the goalkeeper. He was also too deep from Leicester City's free kick, deflecting Justin's effort into his own goal. Got himself on the scoresheet late on to seal Arsenal's 4-2 victory.

FW Gabriel Martinelli, 8 -- Martinelli always looked to beat his marker down the left-flank and where he provided a regular option when Arsenal won the ball back high up the pitch. Got things up and running with a strong finish from Timber's low cross, and then turned provider to assist Trossard as the Gunners made it 2-0. Replaced by Sterling in the second half.

FW Leandro Trossard, 8 -- The Belgium international got into consistent intelligent positions and was rewarded at the end of the first half as he finished accurately from Martinelli's cut-back. Missed a big chance in the second half but made amends with his effort that was deflected into the goal in the 94th minute.

FW Bukayo Saka, 9 -- There was always a sense that something could happen when Saka had the ball on the right-flank, where Leicester City even struggled to deal with the 23-year-old when they doubled up on him. Impressed when beating his man down the line as well as cutting inside, and he consistently carried the ball into dangerous areas before creating shooting opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes = no rating)

Raheem Sterling (on for Martinelli, 74"), N/R -- Positive in possession and tried to beat his marker down the line, but couldn't get his deliveries into the box.

Ethan Nwaneri (Partey, 85"), N/R -- Brought on and provided an instant lift to the crowd amid a confident performance, and was involved as he helped win the corner that put Leicester under all sorts of pressure.

Gabriel Jesus (Trossard, 98",) N/R -- Introduced as Arsenal looked to play the remainder of the game out.

- Adam Brown

ARSENAL THRASH BAYER LEVERKUSEN AS XHAKA MAKES EMIRATES RETURN

Gabriel Jesus was among the scorers in Arsenal's preseason win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 win over Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday as they ramped up their preparations for the new season.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all found the net in the first half for Mikel Arteta's side. Kai Havertz then added a fourth after half-time in a preseason friendly that saw former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka make his return to the club.

Xhaka, who spent seven seasons at Arsenal before departing for Leverkusen last summer, was greeted with a "welcome back" message on the big screen ahead of kickoff. 

Arsenal went in front after less than eight minutes. At the end of a fine team move, Havertz cut the ball back to the edge of the area where Zinchenko dispatched a first-time left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.

There was more to admire about Arsenal's play that led to the hosts doubling their lead just a minute later. After Arsenal won the ball back deep in Leverkusen's half, Martin Ødegaard, Jesus and Havertz were all involved in a series of quick passes before Trossard coolly took a touch beyond a defender and finished low from the centre of the box.

Jesus, starting as the No. 9, made it 3-0 seven minutes before half-time, dribbling past a defender and then squeezing a shot past the dive of Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar from 20 yards out.

Jesus was withdrawn at half-time but earned praise from his manager.

"I said from day one, the first feeling when I saw him after talking to him at the end of the season is that he was something different," Arteta said of Jesus in his post-match news conference. "I could sense it. His energy was different, the way he looks is different, the way he's moving is different. He really wants it.

"Now it's about finding that consistency and doing it in any context, against any opponent, against any formation, any day, every three days, for 90 minutes, for 30 minutes, for 70 minutes. If you are produce in those circumstances? It looks good."

Arteta made four changes at half-time with England internationals Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice among those to enter the action. It didn't take long for Saka to make his mark, delivering a low cross that was cleared right into the path of Havertz to finish from close range in the 65th minute.

Leverkusen substitute Adam Hlozek pulled a goal back in the 76th minute but it was little more than a consolation.

"We can take a lot of positives from the game as well as the result," Arteta said. "The way we performed, there were lots of positive aspects, collectively and individually. 

"A lot of things to learn from it as well. I think we can improve, especially in the second half when we made seven changes. But again, a really good test, a really good team who are really well coached and it was a good performance."

While there was no involvement for Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori following his transfer from Bologna last week, Arteta said he hopes to hand him some minutes when  Arsenal complete their preparations for the new season with another home friendly, against Lyon on Sunday.

Their Premier League campaign kick off at home to Wolves on Aug. 17.

Leverkusen, who completed an unbeaten domestic season in 2023-24, will compete for their first silverware of the new campaign in 10 days' time against VfB Stuttgart in the DFL-Supercup.

Game Information

Emirates Stadium

8:00 PM, August 7, 2024

London, England

Over/Under: 3.5

Attendance: 50,000

Referees: Samuel Barrott

- ESPN 

MIKEL ARTETA REACTS TO ARSENAL WIN VS. LUTON TOWN

Getty

 Arsenal reclaimed first place in the Premier League on Wednesday with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Luton Town at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners leapfrogged Liverpool for the top spot in the standings, if only briefly as the Reds will face cellar dwellars Sheffield United on Thursday.

Regardless, Arsenal rode a dominant first half to victory, cruising through the second half as Luton provided little trouble. With it being a midweek match, Mikel Arteta rotated many lesser used players into the lineup, with the likes of Thomas Partey, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe earning rare starts.

Arteta was pleased with the way his new-look team responded, putting in a professional performance and keeping another clean sheet for the league's stingiest defence.

"We managed to rotate and freshen the team up a bit," the Arsenal boss told BBC Match of the Day. "Those who came in did really, really well.

"We scored two very good goals and in the second half, credit to Luton they are a really good side and difficult to play against but overall [we earned] a win and another clean sheet and in a couple of days we play again."

Arteta singled out the squad players for the job they did on Wednesday, stressing the importance of having a strong bench during a crowded part of the schedule.

"To have a squad they have to play," he said. "We have to make those decisions. The contribution they make to the team was very good.

"Now we recover and go again because we have Brighton away [on Saturday]."

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