Arsenal rose to second place in the Premier League after a narrow victory over Ipswich Town.
Kai Havertz was the Gunners' match winner; his goal midway through the first half proved the difference between the two teams.
The victory sees Mikel Arteta's side leapfrog Chelsea to become Liverpool's closest title rivals, who are six points clear in the standings with a game in hand.
Mail Sport's HENRY CLARK was at the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening to take control of the title challengers.
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
David Raya-6
Difficult to give the Arsenal keeper more than a six, purely because he had so little to do all evening. This will go down as one of the most comfortable matches of his career.
Jurrien Hout – 6.5
A decent display and kept his counterpart, Ipswich's creator Leif Davis, quiet. Saw a rasping clearance saved by Arijanet Muric in the first half.
Willem Saliba-7
Facing a physical presence in Liam Delap, who wasn't shy about letting the Frenchman know he was there for challenges, but rose to the task well.
Gabriel – 6.5
He looked determined to score again from a corner but somehow headed wide. He may be a defender by trade, but those kinds of opportunities have been the Brazilian's food and drink in recent years. There was also a significant miss at 1-0, with the nerves increasing in the second half.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6
Got the nod to start again, even with Riccardo Calafiori available, and didn't put a step wrong. Showed maturity on the ball and kept his cool after meeting Kalvin Phillips in the second half.
Martin Odegaard – 7.5
Director of Arsenal's best passages of play, but difficult for the Norwegian to make much happen as Ipswich were so deep. He almost scored after waltzing his way through a sea of blue shirts.
Declan Rice – 6.5
He continued to play, but could have occasionally given more impetus with one of his quick runs into the box. Odegaard's sweetly struck volley from the corner was blocked, denying him a goal from the season candidate.
Kai Havertz-7
Many say Arsenal lack a true fox-in-the-box striker, but the German was in the right place at the right time to score the opener. Has now scored more goals than any other Arsenal player in 2024.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5.5
He was chosen to lead Arsenal's attack down the right in the absence of Bukayo Saka, but was not given much time or space to work his magic.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
Started his third consecutive games for Arsenal for the first time since December 2023 but struggled to make an impact. He denied the goal and earned his delightful poke between Arijanet Muric's legs in the first half after straying a fraction offside in the build-up.
Leandro Trossard – 5.5
A frustrating player who should contribute more goals and assists than him, but did well to beat Ben Johnson before delivering a perfect cross for Havertz.
Subs
Mikel Merino (on for Jesus, 72 minutes) – 6
Had an almost immediate impact from the bench, but saw his shot well saved by Muric.
Thomas Partey (on for Rice, 87 minutes) – N/A
Manager: Mikel Arteta – 7
Would have liked his team to have made it a lot more comfortable than they did, but his players held their nerve to get the job done.
IPSWICH (4-2-3-1)
Murisch 5; O'Shea 6, Woolfenden 6 (H Clarke 91), Greaves 6, Davis 6.5; Phillips 6, Cajuste 6 (Taylor 80); Johnson 5 (Broadhead 80), Hutchinson 5.5, Szmodics 5 (J Clarke 71, 5.5); Delap 6 (Al-Hamadi 80).
Manager: Kieran McKenna6.
REFEREE
Darren England 5.5.
Comments