mission accomplished. Arsenal dispose of Luton without much effort, and while waiting Liverpool (they play Sheffield United tomorrow) give themselves a night at the top of the Premier League. Mission accomplished too for Manchester City, who beat Aston Villa 4-1 thanks to a Phil Foden hat-trick. Also on the field Brighton, led by De Zerbe, did not exceed a 0-0 draw with Brentford Despite 24 shots and 67% ball possession.
Arsenal-Luton 2-0
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There is no magic, just a lot of commitment and discipline. Thus, Arsenal overthrew Luton, downed them with two goals in the first half, and tamed them without problems in the second half. The win is further evidence of the maturity of Arsenal, who were the first to take to the field in the Premier League triple challenge and played the card they had to, a victory card that forces the other two teams to maintain the pace. Arteta called for help from the bench at one point, with Zinchenko, Partey, Smith Rowe and Nelson giving breathing room to Keuer, Jorginho (who came on late), Rice (on the pitch midway through the second half in place of Partey) and Saka, desperate for a rest. Unlike in the past, Arsenal were unaffected by the changes to their lineup: they played their own way, with Zinchenko more of a midfielder than a full-back in the build-up phase and Smith Rowe intent on showing Arteta. He can also provide assistance at the end of this season filled with difficult matches and is good at contributing to both goals, starting the move that led to Odegaard's 1-0 win in the 24th minute and providing the assist for the 2-0 goal. Own goal from Hashioka. The defense has confirmed itself as the Gunners' crown jewel: with Saliba and Gabriel snuffing out any Luton attacking ambitions as they did on Easter Sunday against Haaland, Arsenal are yet to concede a Premier League goal for the third time in their last four games. games. Luton's record in the last 18: The race to save Edwards' side, who was recently voted the best manager in the Premier League by a tabloid newspaper, certainly doesn't go through the Emirates, but the Hatters have not won since January 30 and have come out on top. They have now lost 7 of their last 10 matches. Seventeenth place, which deserves to stay, is now three points away. Arsenal broke the deadlock after 24 minutes of fruitless possession with Odegaard collecting an assist from Havertz in the middle of the area. Luton remained smashed into their own area and the home side's second goal came just before half-time, when Hashioka, anticipating Nelson, turned a Smith-Dove cross into his own net. The Gunners started the second half with a 2-0 lead and regained control of the game: Luton were content not to sink, Arteta's side did not get upset despite the substitutions and cruised to an easy win, giving them the lead temporarily.
Manchester City – Aston Villa 4-1
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No Haaland and De Bruyne? No problem. In Manchester City's endless pantheon of champions, Phil Foden confirms himself as one of the most precious gems with a hat-trick that knocked out Aston Villa and allowed the champions to remain one point behind Arsenal, temporarily joining Liverpool. The 23-year-old Englishman has reached 14 league goals this season and becomes the fifth player in Europe's top leagues this year with at least 20 goals and 10 assists. Against Aston Villa, he had another great game, once again in a central position in place of De Bruyne, a role he has played best in this year and which he is trying to make his own. Foden gave City the lead again, first with a devastating free kick at the end of the first half after Duran responded to Rodri's first goal, then in the second half he scored two wonderful goals. He was not the only one of Guardiola's group to shine: a great performance also by Rodri, who in addition to the instantaneous 1-0 also created the brilliant assist for the 3-1, and on the left for Grealish, who finally appears to have overcome many of the muscle problems that have slowed his movement this year. For Aston Villa, who remain the last team to defeat Manchester City (story dated 6 December), with Zaniolo starting and Martinez suspended due to flu after the squad had already been announced, this is the second defeat in the last 4 games that leaves them two points ahead of Tottenham in the standings for 4th place. But Tottenham played one match less than Emery's team. City opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Rodri, who received an assist from Doku from the right flank in the middle of the area and turned it into an unstoppable shot. Aston Villa responded immediately and actually equalized in the 19th minute through Duran, who passed to Ortega with a wonderful diagonal shot after a wonderful exchange with Diaby. City regained control of the game and created chances, but to make it 2-1 they had to wait until the first minute of stoppage time, when the barrier opened up to allow Foden's free-kick from the edge of the box to pass past Olsen. City started the first half with the lead, and maintained their position thanks to two good saves from Ortega, and in the 62nd minute they extended the lead through Foden, who made the score 3-1 with a wonderful shot with his left foot from inside the area after a foul. An equally brilliant assist from Rodri. Foden exaggerated and in the 69th minute made the score 4-1, with a wonderful shot with his left foot from the edge under the top corner, scoring his hat-trick. It's the goal that ends the game and keeps City at the top of the Premier League.
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