Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League standings after claiming a 2-0 victory over Luton Town at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Leading scorer Saka was sidelined following an injury sustained against Manchester City over the weekend, but Mikel Arteta’s significantly altered team managed to overcome their assiduously prepared rivals and reclaim the top spot from Liverpool.

After Emile Smith Rowe booted Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu off the ball in the 24th minute, captain Martin Odegaard gave the home team the lead, which they doubled just before halftime.

In the 44th minute, Japan’s Daiki Hashioka, a defender, unintentionally scored past his own custodian Thomas Kaminski while attempting to stop Reiss Nelson after Smith Rowe was given too much room in the penalty area.

Due to injury, Luton was forced to sit 16-year-old Christian Chigozie, a schoolboy defender, in favour of replacements.

They never let Arsenal get away with it, and right before halftime, Ross Barkley had a free kick that Arsenal goalie David Raya had to stop.

On the other hand, Arsenal remained mostly unfazed as they advanced to 68 points, one point ahead of Liverpool, who take on bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday at 19:30 BST.

Manchester City, who thrashed Aston Villa 4-1 on Wednesday, is now in third place with 67 points.

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