Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich LIVE RESULT: Havertz fires Gunners up to second in Premier League as Arteta’s side end 2024 with win

Match report

If we are going to have some sort of a title race, then it is up to Arsenal to really raise their game.

But without Bukayo Saka in their team, you really have to wonder whether Mikel Arteta’s mob are capable of giving Liverpool manager Arne Slot some sleepless nights.

On this evidence, they may as well drive the Premier League trophy up to Merseyside now.

Kai Havertz scored his 12th goal of the season against an Ipswich side who failed to land a glove on their opponents but defended stubbornly.

The fact Arsenal made a meal of beating such a limited team does raise some questions over whether they can close this enormous gap at the top.

ARSENAL 1 IPSWICH 0

Gunners should drive trophy to Anfield after scraping past Tractor Boys

Arsenal player ratings - FORWARDS

Gabriel Martinelli - 6 : All eyes were on the winger as he filled in for Saka on the right hand side. The Brazilian perhaps lacks the directness of the Gunners’ starboy but he’s saw plenty of the ball and linked up well with Jesus. Whipped the first ball in for Havertz' goal which came out to Trossard who provided the assist.

Leandro Trossard - 7: Started on the left and kept the ball alive to steal a yard on Ben Johnson and provide Havertz with a wicked cross and his 12th goal of the season. Troubled Ipswich's Johnson with his direct running and tireless work rate throughout. 

Gabriel Jesus - 5: Jesus clearly had the bit between his teeth at the moment after last week’s goal rush. Couldn’t quite hold his run well enough when breaking through after 34 minutes for his offside goal. Perhaps over eager at that moment. Looked disappointed when he was subbed off with 20 minutes remaining.

Arsenal player ratings - MIDFIELDERS

Declan Rice - 7: Rice was pushed into a defensive No 6 role but didn't have to stay there long. Energetic as always and added another level of attack he got his foot on the ball and won a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area.

Kai Havertz - 8: Officially back in midfield in Saka's absence after having played most of the season up top. But the German was in the perfect elusive centre-forward’s position to tap home with a breakthrough opener inside 23 minutes. Rotated and exchanged the No 9 role - perhaps Arteta has found a new partnership that may see them through this spell without Saka.

Martin Odegaard - 6: Rare off evening for the Arsenal captain but nothing too drastic. Uncharacteristic air ball inside six minutes and wasn't as sharp in his passing. Perhaps missing the chemistry he has with Saka and lost the ball cheaply at times.

Arsenal player ratings - DEFENDERS

Here's how SunSport's Katherine Walsh rated tonight's Arsenal players, beginning with those at the back.

David Raya - 5: Cut a lonely figure and must have been cold standing on his goal-line for most of the first half as his team-mates enjoyed 84 per cent possession. Had his first touch on 31 minutes but was called upon more in the second half as Ipswich grew into the game.

Jurrien Timber - 6: Got the fans on their feet with a glorious run through the middle of the park inside 19 minutes, but his limp long range shot was easily kept out by Muric. Clearly had a licence to roam, cutting in from full back and driving up the pitch. 

William Saliba - 7: Joined Gabriel in the highest line set up of the season. The pair of them were at the edge of Muric's box for most of the first half. The Frenchman was solid in dealing with a boisterous Liam Delap.

Gabriel - 8: Great game for the Brazilian to ease back into 90 minutes after starting against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Caused his usual nuisance in the opposition area from corners but missed a sitter from a Rice set-piece in the 64th minute.

Myles Lewis-Skelly - 7: Getting more and more impressive each week. The way he moves with that low centre of gravity makes him so hard to dispossess. But a poor clearance saw Ipswich enjoy a first spell of possession before the hour mark. The 18-year-old was poked and prodded by Ipswich striker Delap and Kalvin Phillips at times but dealt with it well.

Legend - ary

Quite a strange moment on Prime Video Sport.

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen were in the stands with their family, with the singer saying he was an Arsenal fan.

Though it quickly came across that he wasn't quite sure what he'd just watched for 90 minutes.

It seemed Chrissy Teigen was a Chelsea fan and arrived in a Chelsea shirt, but meant for it to be Ipswich, but kept calling them Chelsea. I think...

He told Prime Sport: “This was so fun! It was our first Premier League game ever. We’re here for the holidays and having a great time.

“I don’t know the league very well. My friends said Arsenal would win by six goals but it was closer than we expected. It was entertaining though.”

While Chrissy added: “I love an underdog and love being surprised by how a team could do. I wanted to really give Ipswich the support they needed!

“We don’t know what we’re doing, we’re clueless!”

The family then ran on the pitch playing some variation of tig.

'Could've shown more'

Kieran McKenna believes hesitancy prevented his side making more of a fist of the later stages of the game.

But he insists his players can take confidence from a lot of what they did tonight.

He told Prime Video Sport: "It was a difficult first 20 minutes, we got pinned in by a good side. We grew into the game well and turned a bit of momentum at the end of the first half and got into some good positions in the second half.

"There were a few situations late in the game where we could have shown more belief but we were too hesitant.

"It was important that we ended the game solid and feel we can be compact. We'll take confidence from that. The way we turned momentum to put the game in a good position for us, I think is something to take confidence from."

Tough to

Kalvin Phillips reckons Liverpool have been the standout team so far but expects Arsenal to nip away at them for the remainder of the campaign.

He told Prime Sport:  "Arsenal are very good team and they had a lot of the ball and created a few chances. We created a few in the second half but we just need that extra bit of special play at the end.

"It's always difficult coming to Arsenal and we didn't have much to lose when at 1-0 so we came out and tried to force them into mistakes in the second half.

"They are a really good team, really strong. I think Liverpool are the standout team so far but I think Arsenal are the ones who will push them in the end."

More from Mikel

On having to adapt without Bukayo Saka and how the players did tonight, Arteta added to Match Of The Day: "Very good. It will be different.

"We had moments in the second half. It is a unit that is new and will take time for players to understand fully."

Arteta speaks

Mikel Arteta says there's no frustration despite his side's flat display, but admits there's plenty they need to improve on.

He told Prime Sport: “Frustration when you win? No! Things to improve, yes!

“We played the ball back to David [Raya] from the restart and were in trouble and gave them some momentum.

“Then we give some simple balls away which gave them a chance to get some belief and win some set pieces without creating anything.

“You see the first half and the stats were significant. We have to get used to that and we are used to that.

“Credit to them, they’re very organised. We restricted them to nothing.”

Coming up...

The next four games for Arsenal and Ipswich.

Two tricky away games in the league before attentions turn to cup duty for Arsenal.

Brentford and Brighton played out a 0-0 draw tonight and they're the next two trips for the Gunners.

Chelsea and Fulham the next two for Ipswich.

More from Havertz

On the team having to step up without Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz told Prime Sport: "I try to help the team, it was a different role for me today.

"Everyone has to step up because we know Bukayo Saka is a very important player for us. But we have to adapt.

"Home games are so important to us and we feel the energy. Everyone is together, we are one football club. The players, the fans, everyone needs to raise their level to win football matches."

'Frustration'

Declan Rice admits it's becoming a 'theme' for Arsenal of dominating games and struggling to break teams down.

He told Prime Sport: “Yeah definitely [a frustration]. It’s been a bit of a theme for us recently. We’ve dominated games but teams are coming here in low blocks, putting men behind the ball.

“It’s really tough to break down a 4-5-1. You just have to keep probing, keep going.

“Luckily enough it was an important win and that’s all that matters.”

How we stand - bottom

And for Ipswich, as mentioned before the game they have kept that goal difference almost as it was.

They're three points adrift of safety almost at the halfway mark.

How we stand - top

Arsenal now up to second with Chelsea dropping points yesterday and they move six points behind Liverpool.

But having played a game more and on the evidence of tonight without Bukayo Saka, they are battling it out for second unless something drastic happens.

Full time stats

Nine more shots at goal for Arsenal in the second half but Muric only really forced into one save.

Kieran McKenna will be really disappointed his side created virtually nothing of note as they looked scared to lose the ball in the final third.

But they had considerably more of the ball after the break that in the first half. Though it would've been impossible not to.

Summed up perfectly

Alan Shearer tells Prime Video Sport: "You take the points and you move on.

"Arsenal have just done enough. They've found it difficult to break down the defensive Ipswich."