Barkley 'gets better and better' amid Premier League 'cruelty'

Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

That's the cruelty of the Premier League.

Luton looked to have gained a hard and well earned point against league leaders Arsenal but then came the dramatic injury-time goal to break the hearts of the team and supporters.

Most teams Luton have faced in the past 10 years would have bombed that stoppage-time free-kick straight into the box to try and get a winner. Arsenal, being the supreme team they are, were patient and worked the ball further forward and wider to get a better angled cross in - and the man they paid £115 million for did the rest to justify his price tag.

It was harsh but it is what the Hatters are up against most weeks.

Luton have to pick themselves up and go again. They have five days to extinguish the hurt and get ready for the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League winners. It is going to be a big challenge to be mentally and physically ready for Pep Guardiola's golden Manchester City team.

And yet there were plenty of positives in defeat to Arsenal. Luton gave the leaders so many problems and the Gunners were uncomfortable all night. You only had to see how relieved Mikel Arteta was at the end.

There were so many outstanding Luton performances but once again Ross Barkley stood out significantly.

The former England man still possesses out-and-out class on the ball and at times Arsenal struggled to suppress him. Barkley continues to raise his sharpness levels and is open to further improvement.

After his performance in the win over Crystal Palace, some Luton fans were describing him as the best Hatters player they had ever seen. They are likely to have been a younger generation of supporter but it is an indication of the impression he is making.

Barkley was even better against the Gunners and it is clear Luton have a special talent on their hands.