Odegaard on the mark as Arsenal pass latest test to go top

Premier League: Arsenal 2 Luton 0 

If a mark of champions is casually swatting aside limited, timid visitors then Mikel Arteta's side have passed yet another test of their title credentials.

Sunday's parking of the bus at Manchester City had been as much of a gamble as a defensive master-class by the Arsenal manager given that the 0-0 draw it produced allowed Liverpool to steal a march on both.

But injury-hit Luton were the perfect follow-up opponents and the Premier League summit was duly reclaimed with minimal stress.

Martin Odegaard's opener and Daiki Hashioka's own goal just before half time turned out to be sufficient for a victory that was as routine as it was predictable.

Luton, without a win at Arsenal since 1959 and in this division for more than two months, remain in the bottom three and their next away trip is to the Etihad. 

Rob Edwards' underdogs have surprised everyone, including themselves, by being so competitive so often on their top-flight return but few Gunners fans will be expecting any favours on this showing.

The same applies at Anfield on Thursday night of course, where Sheffield United are not expected to stop Liverpool from nosing ahead again but Arteta and Co remain the form team of 2024 with just two points dropped.

"We want to be at the top, winning our games is the only thing we can do," Arteta said. "I am very happy. In the first half, we created a lot of chances and scored two really good goals."

Bukayo Saka, who had limped off during Sunday's snooze-a-thon, was not even on the bench as Arteta made five changes, including Thomas Partey's first Premier League start since August 26 and rare nods for Emile Smith Rowe, who was excellent, and Reiss Nelson, who was not.

"To have a squad they