Luton Town

Image source, Reuters

Luton manager Rob Edwards, speaking to TNT Sports after Wednesday's 2-0 loss at Arsenal:

"Parts of it were exceptional. After we went 1-0 down we saw a bit more of us, we were a bit braver and committed to be the team we wanted to be.

"I saw so many good things out there today. I thought the second half was an excellent performance by us. To stay in the game and still be in the game late on was really pleasing. We were aggressive but when we got into the final third we were lacking that final pass.

"I am really proud of the lads. It is hard to be at our best but we have come to Arsenal and lost 2-0 - that happens to many teams. There is no shame in that, I thought there were loads of good things.

"Tonight was never going to define our season. Saturday - Bournemouth, in the last 20 games, are around fifth in the table so it won't be easy, but our focus goes onto Saturday."

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Reuters

Another defeat for Luton but a night to remember for schoolboy Christian Chigozie.

Still in Year 11 at Chiltern Academy, next to Luton's training ground, Chigozie will be sitting his GCSEs this summer and Luton had to ask for the school's permission for him to miss classes to train with the first team last week.

On Wednesday, his name was read out over the speakers at Emirates Stadium after he was named on the Hatters' substitutes bench.

It is a sign of Luton's appalling injury problems that the youngster was called upon to fill the bench.

Boss Rob Edwards, however, believes he has a promising career ahead. He said: "We think highly of him. He's a great lad and we think he has got a big future.

"That shows you where we are at [in terms of injuries]. Four teenagers and two goalkeepers on the bench. Slightly different to Arsenal's bench I think."

Chigozie did not get on the pitch on a night when patched-up Luton made title-chasing Arsenal work hard for the points.

It will not be games against Arsenal that will decide whether Luton are in the Premier League next season. Instead, home matches against Bournemouth on Saturday - followed by the visits of Brentford, Everton and Fulham to Kenilworth Road - have taken on extra importance.

Here are the key facts and figures following Arsenal's Premier League win against Luton:

• Arsenal are unbeaten in each of their past 39 Premier League matches under Mikel Arteta in which they have been ahead at half-time (W36 D3), a run which has seen Arsenal win all of their past 15 matches when in front at the break.

• Arsenal have now won 12 of their 15 home matches in the Premier League this season (D2 L1); only in 1934-35 (13 wins) and 2002-03 (13 wins) had the Gunners picked up more home wins at this stage of a top-flight campaign.

• Luton have now failed to win any of their past 10 Premier League matches (D3 L7), their longest winless run across the top four tiers of English football since March 2008 (a run of 13 without victory in the third tier) and their longest run without a win in the top flight since December 1991 (run of 11).

• Kai Havertz has now been directly involved in 12 goals in the Premier League this season for Arsenal (eight goals, four assists), the outright most he has contributed in a single season in the competition.

• Luton's 38 away goals conceded is the most of any team in the Premier League this season, with the Hatters conceding an average of 2.4 goals per away match (38 in 16).

• Arsenal made five starting XI changes from their 0-0 draw with Manchester City last time out - their most from one Premier League fixture to another since September 2021 against Norwich (seven).

Arsenal overcame the absence of Bukayo Saka to move back to the top of the Premier League table with victory over struggling Luton at Emirates Stadium.

Leading scorer Saka was missing after suffering a knock against Manchester City at the weekend, but Mikel Arteta's much-changed side did enough to defeat their hard-working opponents and move back above Liverpool at the summit.

Captain Martin Odegaard fired the hosts into the lead in the 24th minute after Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu was bundled off the ball by Emile Smith Rowe, before the Gunners doubled their advantage shortly before half-time.

Japan defender Daiki Hashioka inadvertently put past his own keeper Thomas Kaminski in the 44th minute while trying to stop Reiss Nelson after Smith Rowe was afforded too much space in the penalty area.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Arsenal fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Luton fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Three games make up Wednesday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

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Follow all of the action here

Around the grounds - listen to BBC Radio 5 Live coverage of all things Premier League

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For the midweek matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, he takes on UB40 drummer and Birmingham City fan Jimmy Brown.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

Arsenal needed a last-gasp Declan Rice goal to clinch a crazy 4-3 win last time these teams met, but it won't be anywhere near as close at the Emirates.

Luton will have a go, we know that, but the Gunners showed how strong they are defensively in Sunday's goalless draw with Manchester City and I am expecting them to control this game from the start.

Brown's prediction: 3-1

There is no way Arsenal are going to drop any points here.

Read the rest of their predictions here

Here are the key facts and figures before Wednesday's Premier League fixture between Arsenal and Luton

• Arsenal have won all five of their league games against promoted sides this season, netting at least three goals each time (23 goals in total). The most combined goals any side has scored against promoted teams in a Premier League campaign is 24 – by Arsenal in 2012-13.

• Luton have taken just four points from 24 available from evening kick-offs (7pm or later) in the Premier League this season (W1 D1 L6), with their sole victory coming at home to Brighton in January (4-0).

• With eight goals and four assists, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been involved in 12 goals in his past 12 Premier League appearances against promoted sides.

• Luton have scored in each of their past 18 Premier League games, the longest ongoing scoring streak. However, they’ve won just four of these 18 matches, and are winless in their past nine (D3 L6).

• Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus turns 27 on the day of this game. He scored on his 24th birthday for Manchester City against Leicester, and could become the first player to score a Premier League goal on his birthday for two different clubs.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Luton Town face Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Here are the key lines from the Hatters boss:

• In terms of team news, the three players who picked up injuries during the defeat at Tottenham "haven't trained yet" and they will need to be assessed ahead of this game. He was reluctant to give any indication of which players are closest to being available for selection.

• He added: "If they were ready, then I would pick them. If they are not, then I won't be able to. If they are not, we will see if we can turn them around for Saturday." He highlighted that if players are not ready to face Arsenal, they will be a "big doubt" for this weekend's game as well.

• Edwards described the current injury crisis as "the most difficult and challenging period I have ever faced" alongside the "serious incident" involving club captain Tom Lockyer earlier this season.

• He added: "If I'm speaking honestly, to be competing the way we did on Saturday, against another top team [Tottenham], with the challenge that we are facing - we are doing pretty well."

• After falling to a 4-3 defeat against the Gunners in the reverse fixture earlier this season, Edwards isn't expecting another goal fest between the teams: "Their defence is pretty stubborn, they don't give much away. It was a pretty unique game, as sometimes it can be at Kenilworth Road. They are in great form, especially since the break around January time."

• He joked: "Look, if we are able to go and score three goals at the Emirates, then we are doing pretty well. We will try and be the best version of us - that is difficult at the moment [with the injuries]."

• On how Arsenal might set up against the Hatters, he said: "They are so good with the ball that they are going to force us low. We are going to have to defend really, really well. We can do a lot of work on that and we will see."

• Edwards is "aware" that Luton have another big game on Saturday [against Bournemouth] but he isn't prioritising one game over another, stating: "We aren't really going to have anyone else that we don't have tomorrow, so that wouldn't make any difference."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences here

Ollie Kay
Fan writer

Ollie Kay can be found at We Are Luton Town, external

The injuries just do not stop coming.

With Alfie Doughty, Tahith Chong and Reece Burke going off this weekend it leaves us with 13 players available. Two of these are development players, Joe Johnson and Zack Nelson, who have been among the squad this season but are soon to become first names on the team sheet if this injury crisis continues to bite.

Regardless, with all our injuries, we went toe to toe with Tottenham, taking the lead early on but succumbing to an own goal and a quick Son break from our own corner.

Luton Town have and continue to give an incredible account of themselves this season. I have written about it before, where the fight and determination we have cannot be bought, it is simply part of the club's genetics with players carefully recruited so they match what we ask of them.

As the squad thins out because injuries, you see these players still giving their all for the shirt, for the fans and most importantly for their survival in the Premier League.

Relegation has not been confirmed, not by a long shot. Tough trips to Arsenal and Man City are soon to come, but then we get down to the meat and drink of what our survival will be decided upon. Games against those immediately around us - Everton, Brentford and other teams in the lower half of the table.

Survival is still in our hands, it always has been, the odds and injury table may be stacked against us, but we will continue to do what we do best, fight.

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Chris asked: All the talk at the moment (quite rightly!) is about the most exciting title run in for years. However, my question is about the bottom of the league. Who do you think joins Sheffield United and (probably) Burnley in the Championship next season? Do you think Luton have enough fight to stay up or can they and Nottingham Forest do everyone a favour and get something against Everton and send them down?

Phil answered: I think Luton have actually been playing better than Everton and Forest for some time now but they seem to have a problem getting games over the line - leading then losing.

My current belief is that Luton Town, Sheffield United and Burnley will go down but then we have the unknown of points deductions imposed on Forest, which they are appealing against, and Everton – who may yet have more points deducted for another alleged breach of financial regulations.

Out of the three I have mentioned, I think Luton could be the team that could defy that prediction but they simply have to find a way to win games in a way that is currently escaping them, even when they have the lead.

We asked for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Luton.

Here are some of your responses:

Tottenham fans

Paul: Another woeful first half with no intensity and too many misplaced passes in the final third. The second half was different as we moved the ball quicker through the lines. Romero looked as if he was playing in slow motion and he needs to stop playing backwards and sideways as often as he does. Johnson turned the game as Kulusevski looked off it. COYS.

Ernie: It was an important win but a struggle to get it. We cannot continue giving the opposition the lead because we find it so difficult to turn things around. Once again the obvious lack of a plan B leaves everything looking so pedestrian. If Luton had only had more courage they could possibly have done what Fulham did. Thankfully they didn't!

Doug: What a hard fought three points. We were unlucky not to get more goals. Not taking anything away from Luton as they gave us a real battle. Johnson was fantastic again and he had a massive impact coming on in the second half, he’s really showing his true quality now but the whole team put a shift in. I love Luton’s spirit and I hope they stay up.

Luton fans

David: I was at the game and it was another game of great spirit and commitment. But we were undone by errors at the end and missed a great chance to steal a point. I'm proud of the effort and the football. We can survive but home games are now all must wins. Rob Edwards showed a masterclass in humility again.

Paul: Luton have 13 players out injured, (8 first team players out injured) but still Tottenham needed an own goal to beat what was effectively our reserve team. Amazing performance from the Luton players and the fans who provided the noise at an otherwise silent stadium.

Ant: Our first game back after the international break. Our squad is down to the bare bones but the injury crisis hasn't diminished our character or our fight. Luck does not appear to be on our side after some fantastic goal line clearances. We also saw the leveller come from an unlucky own goal and picked up some potential further injuries in the game.

Alex Scott introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentary in full:

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

Aston Villa v Wolves

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Luton needed less than three minutes to extend their club-record scoring run to 18 successive top-flight fixtures, but once again they were unable to retain their advantage after Tahith Chong had given them an early lead.

Rob Edwards' men are just the third side in Premier League history to lose three successive games in which they have led at half-time, after Aston Villa in May 2021 and Sunderland in April 2003.

They had chances to add to Chong's crisp drive, James Maddison producing a crucial block to deny Carlton Morris at the near post before Ross Barkley and Jordan Clark tested Guglielmo Vicario from the edge of the box.

Son Heung-min struck both posts midway through the first half, and Luton's luck appeared to be holding after Alfie Doughty somehow prevented Brennan Johnson's shot from creeping in at the far post in the second - but Son had the last laugh when his late effort deflected in off Daiki Hashioka.

With trips to title-chasing Arsenal and Manchester City still to come before the end of the season, it appears Luton's home form will be key to their hopes of preserving their Premier League status.

Rob Edwards spoke to BBC Match of The Day after Luton's defeat to Tottenham: "It's difficult at the best of times coming here. The players gave everything, the plan was good. The players were fully committed. It was a brilliant goal we scored to put ourselves in a good position. I know they had some chances and we had some great blocks and defended well - you have to do that here.

"The bit that gives me belief and confidence is how we've been with all the problems we've got at the moment. The players are completely with it, supporters are completely with it, that's what gives me belief."

On Tottenham coming from behind to win: "The big chances they had came from our mistake. Other than that I thought we were fairly comfortable in the first half. At 1-1 again I thought the game settled a little bit and I'm' really disappointed to concede so late."

On whether the manner of the performance made him proud: "The players are giving everything, we're working really hard to make sure we give ourselves an opportunity to win games of football. We've got to turn around quickly, it doesn't get any easier! We'll try and go again.

"It does give me belief, it does give me heart. It's a tough one to take because we hate losing. We know how difficult the challenge is coming here but to be competing and pushing them all the way gives me a lot of pride."

• Luton are just the third side in Premier League history to lose three successive games in which they’ve led at half time after Aston Villa in May 2021 and Sunderland in April 2003 (run of four).

• No side has benefited from more own goals in the Premier League this season than Tottenham (4), with this Luton’s second own goal this season after Tom Lockyer put through his own net against Aston Villa in October.

• Son Heung-min has now scored at least 15 goals in a Premier League season on three of the past four occasions (23 in 2021-22 and 17 in 2020-21). Indeed, five of his 15 goals for Tottenham in the Premier League this season have been the winning goal, no other player has more.

• Only Elijah Adebayo has scored a faster Premier League goal for Luton (18 seconds vs Brighton in January) than Tahith Chong’s opener against Tottenham today (02:17), while it’s the earliest Spurs have conceded at home in the Premier League since March 2014 against Arsenal (72 seconds).

• Tottenham have now earned 22 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, only Liverpool (23) have more, while only in 2010-11 (24) and 2012-13 (23) have they accumulated more such points in a campaign.

Son Heung-min scored a late winner as Tottenham recovered from a goal down to beat Luton and move into the top four of the Premier League.

Tahith Chong's well-worked goal had given the Hatters an early lead, but Spurs responded well and equalised early in the second half when Brennan Johnson's cross was turned into his own net by Issa Kabore.

Spurs laid siege to the Luton goal after restoring parity, but a series of crucial last-ditch challenges kept Ange Postecoglou's team at bay - and Alfie Doughty somehow prevented Johnson's close-range effort from rolling over the line.

However, there was nothing Luton could do about Son's winning goal, which took a deflection off half-time substitute Daiki Hashioka on its way past Hatters goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.

Aston Villa will reclaim fourth place with a draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers later on Saturday.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Spurs fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Luton fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Eight fixtures make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries:

• Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

• Aston Villa v Wolves

All times GMT

Listen to national and local radio commentaries and follow live text updates here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Gladiators star Bionic.

Sutton's prediction: 4-1

I remember watching Tottenham play at Kenilworth Road in October when they should have been out of sight after the first 10 minutes, but still ended up nicking the points after Yves Bissouma was sent off before half-time.

I am not expecting Spurs to make such hard work of this game, and we should see a response from them after their heavy defeat against Fulham.

I admire Luton, and I am a fan of their approach under manager Rob Edwards. They are more expansive than they were at the start of the season, and I understand why, but maybe it is time for them to play with a bit more balance.

If Luton go to Tottenham and go toe-to-toe with Ange Postecoglou's side, that is very brave. It paid off when they went to Newcastle and nearly won but I don't see it working again here.

Bionic's prediction: 2-0

I really want Luton to stay up - I love Rob Edwards and what he is doing, and his side are fighters. They don't always get the results they deserve though. Ross Barkley is playing so well, he could win this game for them single-handedly but, being realistic, I don't think they will have enough to go to Spurs and win.

See the full list of predictions here