Arsenal leapfrogged Chelsea to close within six points of leaders Liverpool thanks to a narrow 1-0 win at home to Ipswich Town on Friday night.
Kai Havertz was responsible for the only goal of the game as the hosts started quickly and convincingly, but Mikel Arteta’s side failed to extend their advantage. Ipswich Town played a part Arsenalfrustrations and even quickened the pulse of an increasingly nervous home crowd with a late wave of activity.
Despite this, the north London side won 1-0 to keep the pressure on Arne Slott’s table-toppers. Ipswich, by comparison, remains situated in the relegation zone.
How the match unfolded
The Emirates crowd had barely finished singing the last line of ‘London Forever’ when Ipswich caused an early scare with the ball over the penalty area. It turned out to be completely wrong for the first 30 seconds.
“Our organization will have to be very good,” warned Kieran McKenna before the game. It wasn’t good enough. The visitors’ defensive resolve was stretched and strained to breaking point during a stifling one-sided battle, turned into their own defensive third as Arsenal kept their collective boot firmly on Ipswich’s throat. Mikel ArtetaThe title chasers had 91% possession when Kai Havertz fired home in the 23rd minute.
Leandro Trossard got away from Ben Johnson, finding just enough space to sneak a low left-footed cross that raced across Ipswich’s six-yard box and a grateful step from his German team-mate.
A combination of Ipswich’s defensive rigidity and a tired post-Christmas atmosphere prevented the Gunners from creating another opportunity of note in the first half. That changed after the breakup.
Gabriel lost his keeper as he raced for a corner in the second half, slotting the ball into the turf from three yards and – somehow – over Arijanet Murić’s post. Declan Rice’s creative set-up attempt was blocked, connecting beautifully with a hip-high corner kick from Martin Odegaard, which was met by a crowd of blue shirts.
There were also opportunities in open play. Arsenal’s Norwegian captain headed over the bar from close range shortly before Trossard and Havertz combined again. The Belgian was again in the role of provider, but Havertz kicked out his attempt from seven meters.
In the end, the German’s first-half brace proved to be enough, extending Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions.
Check out the player ratings for Arsenal vs Ipswich here.
‘London Forever’ was performed with usual gusto, Mikel Arteta’s hair was perfectly styled and Gunnersaurus Rex had his signature grin, but something was missing at the Emirates on Friday night. For the first time since May – and only the third time this calendar year – Arsenal lined up for a Premier League home game without Bukaya Saka.
The an injured star he will remain on the sidelines for “many weeks”, leaving a large chasm on the Gunners’ right flank. Gabriel Martinelli filled the void on paper, dutifully racing around the final third with more effort than end product. As Arteta was quick to point out before the game, one player cannot be expected to just replace Saka’s blistering performance, and Arsenal have had their best moments with a collective approach.
“No playmaker in the world can be as good as a good counter-presser,” former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp once infamously said. Despite his long-term cooperation with Pep GuardiolaArteta’s best Arsenal teams have always looked a lot like Klopp’s energetic Reds.
When faced with Ipswich’s compact 5-3-2, the Gunners spent much of the contest tamely stroking the ball in front of their visitors. Without a game-changing tackle, Saka’s afforded the north London look, winning the ball back in the final third proving to be their most potent weapon on Friday.
Trossard collected a loose header to create Arsenal’s first strike, but that run of play was preceded by a host of sharp turnovers as the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard led the charge forward. An aggressive approach to the ball also limits the opposition’s threat – Ipswich didn’t force David Ray into a single save.
Arsene Wenger could not contain his anger after his Arsenal lost 2-1 to Stoke City in November 2008 thanks to a pair of goals, both created by Rory Delap’s crosses. “It’s a small unfair advantage,” the French coach said after the game. “He uses a strength that isn’t usually a strength in football.”
Delap’s son Liam does not boast the same unique skill set and his more famous strength – physicality – has been neutralized by Arsenal’s experienced defensive duo. Delap junior struggled to emerge with a scrap of loose hair, let alone any change, from his one-sided piece with William Salib and Gabriel under the bright lights of the Emirates. Perhaps he would have had more joy in Staffordshire.
READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMORS AND GOSSIP
