It should have been a weekend of celebration for Mikel Arteta’s side following their 5-1 win over Crystal Palace, but fans had little reason to cheer after pictures emerged of Bukaya Saka on crutches after the game.
Arsenal remain in the title hunt, but Sakina’s extended absence will ensure that the coming period will be a pain. This was supposed to be the Gunners’ year after back-to-back second-place finishes, but the Gods have conspired against Arteta’s challengers so far.
However, they are expected to finish the year on a high when they face the recently promoted Tractor Boys. Kieran McKenna has worked wonders at Portman Road, but their top-flight adventure currently feels like a bridge too far.
Ipswich is 19th in the table with 12 points from 17 games. They were beaten 4-0 at home by Newcastle at the weekend and have lost four of their previous five games.
Here 90 minutes guide for this Friday night clash.
Arsenal vs Ipswich H2H results (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Arsenal |
Ipswich |
|---|---|
|
Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal – 21.12.24 |
Ipswich 0-4 Newcastle – 21.12.24 |
|
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace – 18.12.24 |
Wolves 1-2 Ipswich – 14.12.24 |
|
Arsenal 0-0 Everton – 14.12.24 |
Ipswich 1-2 Bournemouth – 12.08.24 |
|
Arsenal 3-0 Monaco – 12.11.24 |
Ipswich 0-1 Crystal Palace – 12.3.24 |
|
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal – 12.08.24 |
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Ipswich – 30.11.24 |
|
Earth |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
Great Britain |
Amazon Prime Video |
|
United States |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, UNIVERSO |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
The Gunners have suffered a major injury blow, with Mikel Arteta confirming on Monday that Bukayo Saka is out for “many weeks” after tearing his hamstring at Selhurst Park. The winger could be sidelined until March.
Raheem Sterling, who could alleviate Saka’s absencehe is currently sidelined with a knee injury that will keep him out for several weeks.
On a brighter note, Riccardo Calafiori came off the bench at the weekend after another layoff and could return to the XI on Friday. Oleksandr Zinchenko could also return to the squad on matchday.
Declan Rice impressed from the bench on Saturday and is certain to make Arteta’s starting line-up.
Predicted line-up of Arsenal against Ipswich (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Jesus.
Captain Sam Morsy misses out on Friday after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Newcastle on Saturday. Kalvin Phillips should step in to center McKenna and partner Jens Cajuste.
Ipswich are currently without George Hirst, Axel Tuanzebe and Chiedozie Ogbene due to long-term injury problems, but Cieran Slicker is closing in on a return from a muscle injury.
Liam Delap is back from suspension and will come in for Conor Chaplin up top.
Predicted line-up for Ipswich vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Murić; Clarke, O’Shea, Burgess, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Burns, Hutchinson, Szmodics; Delap.
Ipswich secured their first Premier League won in more than 20 years when they last visited north London, but even though Arsenal are without main man Saka, they still present a tougher challenge than Tottenham.
Arteta will once again rely on the robustness of his squad in the absence of their superstar winger, with the manager demanding reinforcements from almost every member of the squad to fill Saka’s gaping void. The Englishman has at times functioned as a one-man attack this season.
Arsenal will be defined by functionality and efficiency over the next few weeks and will have enough to outshine Friday visitors. However, we face much more difficult challenges.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Ipswich
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