We’re now truly into the business end of the season. The Gunners have a tricky run-in, with big games against Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs all to come.
As such, the Arsenal first goalscorer odds for their home fixture against Luton Town is an interesting one, as Mikel Arteta may take the opportunity to rest some key men against a weaker side.
Arsenal first goalscorer odds: our picks
Arsenal have managed to recapture last season’s knack of scoring the opening goal early to open games up. In their last eight league games, they’ve scored the opener within the first half hour six times. Here are our tips as to who might crack Luton Town open on Wednesday night.
Gabriel Jesus – 4/1
Arsenal’s 2024 form has been so impressive that Gunners fans have started to question the need for Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus has had a frustrating 2023/24, marred by injury. But there have been good times too. He has lit up the Champions League, and scored the first and assisted the second of Arsenal’s goals in his last start, a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard have been starting up top for the Gunners in Jesus’ absence, and have done well. But Havertz will likely either be rested or move back into midfield for this one, giving Jesus the chance to show his importance once more.
Bukayo Saka – 4/1
Unlike Jesus, one player who is near everpresent for the Gunners is Bukayo Saka. Since the start of 2020/21, he has started 91.5% of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures.
This has had a bit of an impact on Saka, and the 22-year-old recently withdrew from the England squad to work on a long-term issue.
But Saka’s quality and profile are so inimitable, and his attitude and fitness so good that he is expected to start the game away to Manchester City in a showdown with the similarly talented Phil Foden, and will likely feature in this one too.
Saka is Arsenal’s top league scorer with 13 already, so is an obvious favourite to net the opener.
Eddie Nketiah – 9/2
Eddie Nketiah has had a very quiet 2024. After starting 11 of Arsenal’s opening 15 matches, the England international has really struggled for minutes. He has played just 100 minutes this year.
Mikel Arteta has always spoken very highly of Nketiah, with the Arsenal boss saying in October “You look at his stats from the last 10 years.”
But the side seems to have moved beyond him, with more complete forwards like Havertz and Trossard having supplanted him in the pecking order up top.
However, with Arteta likely to rotate his side, this is a rare opportunity for Nketiah to start and score. With a summer move likely, an opening goal from Nketiah could be ideal for both club and player.
Leandro Trossard – 11/2
Arsenal's attacking Swiss-army-knife is Leandro Trossard.
Despite often not starting, Trossard has scored or assisted at a rate of 0.92 per 90 minutes. There are only two Arsenal players to have a better output per game than that – Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie.
Trossard is very versatile, and has played as a false nine, left winger and in midfield. With Arteta probable to shift things around, and Trossard’s excellent attacking output, the diminutive Belgian will likely have to contribute on Wednesday night.
Reiss Nelson – 6/1
If circumstances had gone a little differently, it could be Reiss Nelson who stars as Arsenal’s winger extraordinaire.
Nelson started Arteta’s first five fixtures and has described Nelson as a “special talent”. Nelson was even coached by Arteta when his now-manager was still a player and was training the youth sides.
But Nelson has had a series of injuries at unfortunate moments, and the bad luck of having Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli emerge as superstars.
When he does play, though, Nelson invariably contributes. He averages around one goal or assist every two games, and is a creative and speedy winger. After his famous rapturous winner against Bournemouth counted for nothing last campaign, Nelson would be delighted to make a contribution in a rotated Arsenal side.
