“We are trying to focus each match and separate each competition. Of course, we are excited in the Premier League because of how we are progressively getting better and being committed to try and do all of our best.

“We are in the top four now and we know we have to be consistent in 38 matches. Each match we are going to face with three points, it’s only each match and tomorrow is Luton and it is the same point we have played against top teams, Arsenal and Man City for example. We are playing for the same points in Luton and that’s why we have to respect each match and opponent.

“Then, we are going to face the Europa Conference League. It is a way for a trophy, for Europe and for prestige too. The opponent is really experienced and is a historic club. We are focused on tomorrow and nothing more.

“It is our dreams and it is still being. We lost two competitions, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but we are still in a good position in the Premier League.

“Of course, in the way we are doing in Europe, playing Ajax and trying to get something special and important in our way. We need to be motivated and excited to get our objective. We have to enjoy our way and to be close with our supporters when we are playing at home but also away they travel and they are with us.

“We must enjoy each moment, each match, the preparation, being together and practising. Every day is special.

“We practise a lot and they are specialists. It depends where the ball is, what is the distance. We are practicing a lot and we are deeply analysing here trying to improve it. They are the players to take it when it depends when is the right moment, position on the ball and the distance.

“It is being consistent and it is very difficult to give the same performance home and away. We are being successful at home even though we lost to Man United and Newcastle recently.

“We are trying to be demanding, being competitive, being demanding in our preparation and being consistent tactically at home and away.

“Tomorrow is the same because I don’t remember playing a team who aren’t very demanding. Tomorrow more or less the match could be something similar like the match we played against Newcastle, playing away and with different players.

“I am very demanding myself when we are playing against every team. If we want to be consistent and to achieve our objective, we have to respect every team and opponent. Really, I don’t want to speak about it.

“I explain before. The same points we are playing for against Luton is the same against Tottenham next week.

“I think they are feeling confidence and are playing feeling strong. Maybe not with good results because they didn’t win, but they are playing very, very well.

“They are aggressive, man-to-man. They play in combinations, Barkley is a good moment and I don’t know if they will play with some players who are doubts, but the structure is not changing. They are demanding a lot against Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool away too. They lost, but they played fantastic matches. Tomorrow is going to be very, very difficult.

“Very, very difficult. It is a very demanding match in 90 minutes. Even they were losing 3-0 to Man City and they scored two goals. Even when they were losing to Liverpool at home against Chelsea, they scored two goals and they had chances to draw the match.

“This is our opponent and analysing them my respect has increased. Really, I appreciated them how they are playing.”

Unai Emery, pre-match.


“We showed character and mentality. We are trying to build a team with this mentality to compete like we did today. The first half we played very well and controlled the game.

“The first half when we finished we were again reminding everybody how we analyse Luton. The matches they played before and always when you are winning, they have chances to come back. They did it today.

“We were angry after conceding chances and we didn’t keep the ball like in the first half. The consequences were that we struggled defensively.

“Then, we reacted fantastic. We introduced the substitutes who had a brilliant impact. They have a big commitment to help the team.

“The assist of Moussa and the goal from Lucas were the consequences. I am very happy and proud of the work they did.

“[Ollie Watkins is] Brilliant. His commitment is brilliant and the consequence is this when he works hard every day. He is always working for the team and then he is working to score and also hold up the ball and fighting with the centre-back.

"He is an example for other players. Every day he works hard and tries to learn more.

"His mentality is to increase his level, practising and practising. His commitment to work and the tactical idea we are doing in every match is fantastic.

"Then, he is scoring and he is getting chances. He is scoring, defending set-pieces. He is as well being strong and available for 90 minutes keeping good fitness.

"Really, he is fantastic. He needs his teammates as well to help him and we have to try to get individually our performances through the team.

"It is difficult to find players with a better mentality than his. Then, his quality and skills are high. He wants to learn every day to increase his level playing.

"His first objective is to help the team scoring goals, but he understands as well tactically being clever how he can apply our tactical idea.

"I don’t know about outside here, but if we are now fourth in the table it is for everybody. But his impact as well helping us is high. He wants to progress and we wants to learn. This is the best mentality I want of the players.

"Yes, of course. He is showing it. The Premier League, La Liga, Italian, French league and German league, but the Premier League I think is the toughest in the world.

"He is being relevant here and his work is amazing. As a person he is humble. He avoids the ego and it doesn’t change him. As a person he is fantastic and as a professional.

“[Morgan Rogers’] adaptation is going ahead and today he had minutes, taking experiences with us. I decided this because he played more than 45 minutes and he did very good work. I decided tactically to change him, but this is normal. I did something similar in Liverpool. I changed Leon Bailey after he came on as a substitute. It is a tactical decision.

“We are improving and we are trying to build a team, a structure, a mentality and today the third goal was mentality. We are accepting each moment who we are and trying to build the team with a big commitment.

"This is the spirit. Moussa Diaby crossing and Lucas Digne doing the header. It was fantastic.

“Of course, this is the idea. They made an impact. I tried to do something different with fresh players. They did it.

"We are aware about how it is going our way and we are still in the same message for everybody. We are going to keep going every day. We can't think if we are going to be a contender to be in the top five or four.

"Tottenham is pushing as well and Manchester United are playing tomorrow. They show us, and Newcastle as well, they are very good teams and they show us they can recover the position in the table. I don't want to think they are not being there.

"Now we are going to focus on the Europa Conference League. We are very excited. We play Ajax. A historic club. To play Ajax in Europe [is a privilege]. And then we play Tottenham and for us it is a very good week."

Unai Emery post-match.


"I just feel a sigh of relief really. They kept putting pressure on all game. They score a lot of goals and the fans make it a tough place to come. It's a massive result.

"We had the same instance at Nottingham Forest at home last week. They put a lot of pressure on us. I think we are a little bit too comfortable or relaxed because you have a lead. Luton pushed us to the wire tonight but Lucas [Digne] came on and got the winning goal.

"I feel maybe in the second half I was a bit sloppy. I felt we needed to stay on the ball a bit better. They were going man-to-man and in the first half we were playing it up to me and playing off me and second half the midfield wasn't close enough to me.

"We relax when we are two goals ahead and it happened at Manchester United too. It's something we need to look at. There's something happening and we need to do something there.

"Firstly, with Europe, we have Ajax on Thursday which is a massive game. It is a big draw and we are looking forward to that. I feel like we are doing brilliantly with the injuries we have got. I think to be up there and pushing for the Champions League is incredible. And for me personally, I feel like I am going to score every game and that's all I can do.

"I am happy with this as I don't score many from direct corners. The second one I knew I wasn't off-side but it's that dreaded VAR. I was just focusing on the control and taking it early. I had four or five chances tonight and I just had to be patient and believe I was going to score when I got the ball.

"I think the manager has a lot of faith in me. He keeps working with me. My game understanding has got a lot better. So a bit smarter and I am looking forward to the last stretch and the end of the season.

"If I said I wasn't thinking about the Euros I would be lying to you. I want to score as many goals as possible. I feel like I am doing that. I am confident and I am playing my best football.

"I have played Premier League football for a number of years now. I missed out on the last Euros squad because it was my first season in the Premier League. Now I have been in the Premier League for a number of years. I am scoring, I am established, so it is down to the manager if he wants to pick me.

"Hopefully at the end of the season, Euros, that's where I want to be."

Ollie Watkins.