Arsenal were utterly dominant against promoted Ipswich but only managed a Kai Havertz volley as they went second in the Premier League.
Ipswich set up to defend and frustrate all evening and managed just 32% of possession and three shots all game.
It was a gameplan undone midway through the first half when Havertz got on the end of Leandro Trossard’s cross to slam in the only goal of the night.
Arsenal's dominance is REWARDED! 🔴🔥
Kai Havertz makes no mistake from close range!#PLonPrime #ARSIPS pic.twitter.com/a0GyKH20GU
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 27, 2024
The Gunners wasted plenty of chances as the night wore on – having 40 touches in the Ipswich penalty area and 13 shots on goal – but again lacked a killer touch in front of goal.
Gabriel, so dangerous from set-pieces, headed wide from just a few yards out with their best chance.
The absence of winger Bukayo Saka was felt and will continue to be felt but Mikel Arteta’s side closed 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 stay 19th.
Gabriel Martinelli was handed the unenviable task of filling Saka’s shoes on Arsenal’s right-hand side and the Brazilian was involved in the only goal of the evening.
Rounding off 2024 with a win ✅ pic.twitter.com/iT9CUBmhTZ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 27, 2024
The Ipswich defence failed to deal with Martinelli’s cross, with the ball falling to Trossard on the opposite side of the area. Trossard fought his way to the byline before fizzing his cross into the box for Havertz to convert from a matter of yards.
It was Havertz’s third goal in four matches, his 12th of the season, and no less than the hosts, who at that stage of the match had enjoyed a staggering 91.4% of the possession, deserved.
Havertz thought he had doubled Arsenal’s lead when he converted Gabriel Jesus’ cross. But Jesus – handed his third successive start for the first time in a year – strayed into an offside position in the build-up.
Ipswich fans goaded their opponents with chants of “boring, boring Arsenal”, but it was the Gunners who enjoyed the last laugh as they saw out 2024 with a win which keeps the pressure on Liverpool.
