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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 31
Arsenal v Luton Town
Emirates Stadium
London, England
Wednesday, 3 April 2024
Kick-off is at 20h30
Arsenal will be looking to maintain their
Premier League title challenge when struggling Luton visit the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, April 3.
The Gunners were knocked off top spot by Liverpool on matchday 30, although they denied Manchester City an advantage in the title race after playing out to a 0-0 draw with the defending champions at the Etihad Stadium on March 31.
The Reds had gone two points clear of Mikel Arteta's side earlier in the day after beating Brighton 2-1 at Anfield, while the Citizens remain a further point adrift in third place.
The North Londoners, who saw an eighth-match winning streak come to an end in Manchester, will be targeting an improved performance against the Hatters on home soil after they needed a 97th-minute goal from Declan Rice to clinch a 4-3 victory in the reverse fixture at Kenilworth Road on December 5.
Rob Edwards' side dropped back into the relegation zone following a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the capital on March 30 which extended their winless run to nine matches and left them just four points clear of Burnley (19th).
Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace at the City Ground on March 30 to move above Luton on goal difference, with both teams tied on 22 points.
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In team news, Arteta has an almost fully-fit squad at his disposal, with Jurrien Timber (knee) the only one unavailable for selection. Edwards has no such luxury as he continues to be without Tom Lockyer (heart condition), Amari'i Bell, Elijah Adebayo, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Dan Potts, Chiedozie Ogbene (all thigh), Marvelous Nakamba, Gabriel Osho, Jacob Brown (all knee) and Mads Andersen (calf), while Alfie Doughty, Tahith Chong and Reece Burke are rated doubtful.
Arteta chose not to dwell on the hard-earned point against City and instead wanted to shift his focus to the visit of Luton, who have shown they can beat a tough team to beat this season.
"Now it's Luton, this [result against City] has gone now, it's Luton, a really tough opponent. You know, what they're doing against the top sides. And we need our people again on Wednesday night to create an unbelievable atmosphere and go again and try to win the game," the Spaniard said.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Edwards paid tribute to his players for taking the fight to Spurs before being undone by an 86th-minute winner from Son Heung-Min.
"I feel sick right now. Tottenham are a brilliant team, a fantastic manager and really good players but to lose so late from our own attacking set-piece is difficult to take right now," he lamented.
"I've got to give the players so much credit. To be competitive with the amount of players we're missing, the lads deserve a lot of credit. The effort was there and played really well when we could.
"Tottenham are right up there with Liverpool for quick regains so I can't fault the lads. We made some mistakes but the effort was amazing and to push them all the way."
Head-to-Head (Previous Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 1
Arsenal wins - 1
Luton wins - 0
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 31 fixtures:
Tuesday, April 2
20h30: Nottingham Forest v Fulham
20h30: Newcastle United v Everton
20h45: Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
20h45: Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers
21h15: West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
Wednesday, April 3
20h30: Arsenal v Luton Town
20h30: Brentford v Brighton & Hove Albion
21h15: Manchester City v Aston Villa
Thursday, April 4
20h30: Liverpool v Sheffield United
21h15: Chelsea v Manchester United