Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the match as Arsenal recorded a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town in Friday night's Premier League contest at the Emirates Stadium.
The result has moved Mikel Arteta's side above Chelsea into second spot in the Premier League table, now six points behind leaders Liverpool, although Arne Slot's team still have a game in hand, while Ipswich remain down in 19th spot.
Arsenal made the breakthrough in the 23rd minute of the contest, with Havertz turning a cross from Leandro Trossard into the back of the net, and the Gunners were full value for the lead due to their strong start.
Gabriel Jesus thought that he had doubled Arsenal's lead with a clever finish from a narrow angle, but the offside flag came to Ipswich's rescue, with the score proving to be just 1-0 at the interval.
It was far from a convincing performance from an Arsenal side that struggled in the final third of the field, but Ipswich failed to register a shot on target, with the visitors not doing anywhere near enough to deserve something for their efforts.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
This is not a Premier League match that will live long in the memory, but it was all about securing all three points for Arsenal, with the Gunners needing to make the most of Chelsea's slip-up at home to Fulham.
Liverpool keep winning, so Arsenal need to follow suit, and anything other than a victory against a side down in 19th spot in the table would have been a disaster for Arteta's team.
The Gunners started well and made the breakthrough through Havertz, but clear chances from that point forward were few and far between, with Ipswich defending impressively for long spells.
That said, Ipswich simply did not offer enough in the final third of the field, especially late on when they needed to risk conceding a second in search of a leveller, with the promoted outfit failing to threaten.
The visitors can take positives from what was a solid performance for long spells, but it is now just two wins from 18 Premier League matches for Kieran McKenna's side this season, while Arsenal's 10th league success of the campaign was ultimately enough to see them move above Chelsea in England's top flight.
ARSENAL VS. IPSWICH HIGHLIGHTS
Kai Havertz goal vs. Ipswich (23rd min, Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich)
Arsenal's dominance is REWARDED! 🔴🔥
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 27, 2024
Kai Havertz makes no mistake from close range!#PLonPrime #ARSIPS pic.twitter.com/a0GyKH20GU
Arsenal's pressure pays off at the Emirates Stadium, as Havertz turns a cross from Trossard into the back of the net from close range; Ipswich were coming under a lot of pressure, and their resistance has been broken here.
MAN OF THE MATCH - JURRIEN TIMBER
© Imago
Havertz got the goal and is worth a mention in this category, but Jurrien Timber was the star of the show for Arsenal, with the 23-year-old putting in an excellent performance at right-back.
Timber made three tackles and completed two successful dribbles, while his use of the ball was excellent, finishing with a pass success rate of 94%, with Ipswich's forwards struggling to get the best of him all night.
ARSENAL VS. IPSWICH MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 68%-32% Ipswich
Shots: Arsenal 13-3 Ipswich
Shots on target: Arsenal 5-0 Ipswich
Corners: Arsenal 5-1 Ipswich
Fouls: Arsenal 7-12 Ipswich
BEST STATS
HT: Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 27, 2024
Ipswich become just the 2nd side to not have a touch in the opp. box in the first half of a PL game this season, after Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool in September. 👀#ARSIPS | @bet365 | #Ad pic.twitter.com/rIVS8pJqwF
Kai Havertz has now scored more goals than any other Arsenal player across all competitions in 2024.
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 27, 2024
21 and counting. 🧮 pic.twitter.com/y26kTPl5Ao
Mohamed Salah (19) and Erling Haaland (18) are the only Premier League players to score more goals across all competitions this season than Kai Havertz (12).
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 27, 2024
Eight of them have now come at the Emirates. 🏟️#ARSIPS pic.twitter.com/Q3mbkaa30u
FT: Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 27, 2024
The Gunners are now unbeaten in their last 42 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W37 D5), winning the last 13 in a row. 💪#ARSIPS | @bet365 | #Ad pic.twitter.com/HKCf4uEXCu
Arsenal's most Premier League wins in a calendar year under Mikel Arteta:
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 27, 2024
◉ 2024: 26
◎ 2022: 25
◎ 2023: 24
No side has won more Premier League matches or kept more clean sheets in 2024 than the Gunners. 👏 pic.twitter.com/VCtb4MPLqQ
WHAT NEXT?
Arsenal will be aiming to make it four straight wins in all competitions when they head to Brentford on New Year's Day, with another victory required if they are to stay within touching distance of Liverpool.
Ipswich, meanwhile, will be bidding to recover from their latest defeat when they welcome Chelsea to Portman Road on Monday night.
Matt Law
