Andros Townsend names Man City as the BEST team he's faced with Luton this season... as he insists Pep Guardiola's side are just 'absolutely different' and always 'find a way to cut you open'

Andros Townsend has claimed Man City were tougher opponents than both Liverpool and Arsenal this season.

The 32-year-old joined Luton in October, initially signing a two-month deal as he returned to football after a long injury lay-off.   

Townsend has fast become an integral member of Rob Edwards' side, starting five of their last six Premier League games and making eight appearances in total.

During that run, he was part of the Hatters side that drew 1-1 with Liverpool after Luis Diaz's last-gasp equaliser, lost 4-3 to Arsenal after Declan Rice's 97th minute winner and were defeated 2-1 by Man City on Sunday having been 1-0 up.

And Townsend, speaking on talkSPORT, was questioned on how Luton's elite opponents at the top of the Premier League compared.

'Probably Man City (have impressed me the most),' he said. 'In the first moment of the game we did everything perfectly. 

'Yet they still found a way - bang bang bang bang - shot on goal and they could've been 1-0 up in the first 30 seconds.

'And I just looked at Alfie (Doughty - Luton wing back) and I was like "wow this is different! This is absolutely different!"'

Luton managed to battle through the first 45 minutes before they took a shock lead on the stroke of half time after Elijah Adebayo headed in Townsend's pinpoint cross.

However, Bernardo Silva equalised on 62 minutes, before Jack Grealish completed the turnaround just three minutes later and City ultimately held out for the three points. 

And Townsend - who has also represented the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Everton in his career - admitted he was full of admiration for Pep Guardiola's side. 

He added: 'It's Man City (who are the most impressive team) because no matter what you throw at them they find a way. 

'They find players in the pockets and they find a way cut you open.'

Townsend also went onto discuss the growth of Luton during his short time at the club so far.

He explained: 'I've been here a couple of months now. When I first joined we were very good defensively in a low block but we didn't believe we could press the best teams and go after them.

'But I've seen a team over last month grow and really believe they belong in the Premier League.

'We have to take the positives (from this week). It's been a deflated dressing room but once the dust settles, you always have to take the positives.

'We've gone to-to-toe with two of the best sides in Europe and fallen at the final hurdle on both occasions.'