Arsenal were utterly dominant against promoted Ipswich, but only managed a Kai Havertz volley as they moved to second in the Premier League.
Ipswich prepared to defend and frustrate all night and managed just 32% possession and three shots throughout the game.
It was a game plan that unraveled midway through the first half when Havertz collected Leandro Trossard’s cross to score the only goal of the night.
Arsenal’s dominance is REWARDED! 🔴🔥
Kai Havertz makes no mistake at point blank range!#PLonPrime #ARSIPS pic.twitter.com/a0GyKH20GU
– Amazon Prime Sports Video (@primevideosport) December 27, 2024
The Gunners wasted numerous chances as the evening wore on – with 40 touches in the Ipswich penalty area and 13 shots on goal – but they once again lacked a lethal touch in front of goal.
Gabriel, so dangerous from set pieces, headed just a few yards out with his best chance.
The absence of winger Bukayo Saka has been felt and will continue to be felt but Mikel Arteta’s side have reduced the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points.
Ipswich failed to have a shot on target for the first time in the Premier League since 2002 and remained 19th.
Gabriel Martinelli was given the unenviable task of replacing Saka on Arsenal’s right side and the Brazilian was involved in the only goal of the evening.
End 2024 with a victory ✅ pic.twitter.com/iT9CUBmhTZ
–Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 27, 2024
The Ipswich defense failed to deal with Martinelli’s cross, with the ball falling to Trossard on the other side of the box. Trossard made his way to the line before fizzing his cross into the box for Havertz to convert from a few yards out.
It was Havertz’s third goal in four matches, his 12th of the season, and nothing less than the hosts, who at that stage of the match had enjoyed a staggering 91.4% of possession, deserved.
Havertz thought he had doubled Arsenal’s lead when he converted Gabriel Jesus’ cross. But Jesus – who earned his third consecutive start for the first time in a year – found himself in an offside position in the build-up.
Ipswich supporters goaded their opponents with chants of “boring and boring Arsenal”, but it was the Gunners who had the last laugh as they headed into 2024 with a victory that kept the pressure on Liverpool.
